Alpine revealed the A522 as its 2022 challenger featuring its new specification RE22 power unit on Monday. PHOTO: Alpinef1.com

BRENDAN LINES FEBRUARY 22, 2022

Alpine’s A522 will turn a wheel for the first time at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya later today, after its 2022 challenger was revealed in an online presentation on Monday.

The A522 has been a ground-up effort delivering an all-new design after Alpine’s 2021 car was a carryover from its previous Renault design team.

A new design philosophy and the arrival of a new title sponsor BWT is hoped to usher a new era for Alpine according to CEO Laurent Rossi.

“We have a clear plan and vision in place at Alpine and we have some of the best people in the business to help drive us forward and realise our ambitions,” Rossi said.

“Our team is stronger now and, we hope, future-proof.”

Alpine’s off-season reshuffling of its technical department has culminated with the A522 release, which was a sign the Franco-British team was among the ranks of Ferrari and Mercedes as a fully-fledged factory team.

The presentation of Alpine’s second ever Formula 1 car was led by Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi, CEO Renault Group, Luca de Meo, as well as newly appointed Team Principal Otmar Szafnauer. 

Drivers Esteban Ocon and Fernando Alonso were also on hand to reveal the much anticipated A522 to the world. While 2021 F2 champion Oscar Piastri is the team’s official Reserve Driver for 2022 after graduating from the Alpine Academy last year.

The A522 keeps its traditional Alpine blue livery, coupled this year with the pink colours of BWT. Alpine presented a ‘flipped’ livery with pink becoming the most prominent colour. This unique livery will be used for the first two races of the season.

The renderings of the A522 show a main plane of the front wing detached from the inboard side without a pylon, which maybe an oversight. 

But the flatter profile of the four planes might be rooted in its real-world design that will be seen on track later on Tuesday.

Alpine has thrown another concept into the sidepod discussion this launch season, with a wide radiator opening and reasonable undercut. Rather than a smooth sweep of the sidepod into the engine cover area, the A522’s sidepods follow their own taper into the coke bottle area.  

It’s believed a new specification RE22 power unit was housed under the A522’s bodywork at the launch. Signalling a closer working relationship between its Enstone and Viry bases under former Peugeot-man, Bruno Famin, Alpine’s executive director. Famin was tasked with maximising engine performance and integration into the A522’s chassis.

An Alpine spokesperson hinted the engine specification and packaging has allowed the team some “extra freedom in shaping the rest of the car to better exploit the latest technical regulations and adjust for the new fuel specification, E10, as the next step to sustainable fuels in Formula 1”. 

Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso said the addition of the RE22 was a confidence boost for the team though “we won’t know where everyone stands until Bahrain”.

“But we’re excited to take the car for its first spin in testing this week.”