Alpine to launch A521 2021 F1 car on same day as Mercedes

Alpine will reveal its 2021 Formula 1 car - the A521 - in a digital launch event on Tuesday 2 March, the same day as reigning world champions Mercedes.

The Renault-powered A521 will be Alpine’s first F1 car since completing its rebrand from Renault over the winter.

The French manufacturer is the seventh F1 team to confirm its 2021 launch plans, having previously released renderings of its A521 car in an interim livery earlier this year.

Alpine will field a revised driver line-up for the 2021 F1 season, with double world champion Fernando Alonso - who was discharged from hospital on Monday following successful surgery on a fractured jaw after a cycling accident last week - partnering Esteban Ocon.

All fired up for our 2021 launch, join us virtually on the 2nd March 2021!

Save The Date pic.twitter.com/R2mGKJAnLe

— Alpine F1 Team (@AlpineF1Team) February 16, 2021

On Monday evening, McLaren became the first team to unveil its 2021 challenger - the MCL35M - in a launch at the team’s Woking factory with Lando Norris and new signing Daniel Ricciardo present.

AlphaTauri is the next team scheduled to reveal their car, with the covers coming off the AT02 later this week on Friday 19 February, before Alfa Romeo presents its C41 on Monday 22 February.

Mercedes had already confirmed a reveal date on 2 March for its W12 challenger, and the reigning world champion outfit will now be joined by Alpine for a double launch day.

Williams’ unveiling of its FW43B will follow three days later on 2 March, with Ferrari launching its 2021 car on 10 March, two days before pre-season testing gets underway in Bahrain.

Red Bull, Aston Martin and Haas are the only teams yet to confirm when they will reveal their respective contenders for the 2021 season.