All articles tagged with #alpine
Two Belgian hikers who vanished in 1992 in the Weissmies region were found on the Trift Glacier after retreating ice exposed their bodies; DNA confirmed their identities and a recovery followed, as authorities note glacier melting linked to climate change is increasingly revealing long-buried remains.
Switzerland’s Muttsee dam hosts 4,872 solar modules on its south face, delivering a surprisingly strong winter share of annual output (43% of energy in the cold half) thanks to altitude and a steep tilt, but a five‑foot gap to the concrete is left so inspectors can map cracks—limiting the rear-face (bifacial) gain to about 1.5%. The project, funded by Axpo/IWB under the Solar Express regime, shows that site conditions and the regulatory framework largely determine alpine solar viability, with many such projects stalled or canceled despite measured performance that exceeds a valley reference plant.
Motorsport.com argues Aston Martin’s heavily revised AMR26B could be a watershed for the 2027 driver market: if the car starts delivering, Fernando Alonso is likely to stay through 2027 and the Honda-powered project could finally bear fruit; if it doesn’t meet expectations, Alonso could move back to Alpine, triggering a domino effect that might see Williams court Franco Colapinto and Aston Martin consider replacements such as Carlos Sainz or Esteban Ocon, with Sainz’s Audi links and Hulkenberg’s long contract complicating deals. In short, the AMR26B’s performance could shape the grid more than any single deal this season.
Lewis Hamilton sealed Ferrari's latest breakthrough with a first win for the team at the hot, tyre‑savage Barcelona Grand Prix, underscoring Ferrari’s resurgence as Antonelli suffered a power‑unit failure that swung points away from Mercedes. George Russell benefited in the championship narrative after Antonelli’s retirement, while Fernando Alonso teased a Barcelona farewell and Alpine recovered with solid midfield pace despite Colapinto’s 10‑second penalty. Nico Hulkenberg endured a bizarre Audi retirement when gravel hit the ERS kill switch, highlighting how reliability and strategy shaped the result.
FIA stewards overturned two five-second penalties on Pierre Gasly after Alpine showed pit-lane speed measurements were miscalculated due to a distance error in Monaco, reinstating Gasly to third and moving Alpine up while Red Bull’s Hadjar drops to fourth; penalties for others had already been served and remain unchanged, and Alpine’s right of review is credited with the podium restoration.
Alpine has filed for a Right of Review with the FIA to challenge Pierre Gasly’s Monaco penalties tied to the pit-lane timing system, arguing Gasly and others did not exceed the 60 kph limit and that the system may have misfired. The hearing could raise questions about how pit-lane speed is enforced and potentially affect other penalties, though a full race result change is unlikely. The Monaco setup and the timing infrastructure add complexity, and the case could prompt scrutiny or changes to enforcement without necessarily restoring Gasly’s podium.
Pierre Gasly says he was robbed of a Monaco Grand Prix podium after Alpine received two five-second penalties for pitlane speeding, dropping him from third to seventh; Alpine plans to appeal the penalties.
Luxury brand Gucci will become Alpine F1's title sponsor for 2027, rebranding the team as Gucci Racing Alpine and changing its livery to Gucci colours. Led by Gucci parent group head Luca de Meo’s involvement, the multi-year deal makes Gucci the first luxury fashion house to hold a Formula 1 title sponsorship and establishes Gucci Racing as a platform at the intersection of luxury and sport.
Gucci will become Alpine F1's title sponsor in 2027, rebranding the team as Gucci Racing Alpine and adopting Gucci colours; the multi-year deal, driven by Luca de Meo and Gucci's parent group Kering, makes Gucci the first luxury fashion house to hold a Formula 1 title partnership, following Alpine's current sponsorship with BWT.
Kimi Antonelli headlines a Suzuka surprise, taking an early-season lead as McLaren and Alpine shine with Oscar Piastri and Pierre Gasly delivering strong drives. The weekend also delivers setbacks for Ferrari, Williams and Red Bull, while George Russell encounters misfortune that dents his championship momentum, underscoring a fraught Japanese Grand Prix for F1.
Alpine’s Alpenglow hydrogen-powered V6 prototype revs to 9,000 rpm, delivering about 740 hp and a top speed of 205 mph while emitting only water vapor. The design uses a pre-chamber and regulator for hydrogen at ~700 bar, with compact storage tanks and standard radiators to maintain aero efficiency. Blue energy-recovery brake lights and a transparent acrylic rear spoiler underscore that this car is a mobile lab for testing hydrogen in high-performance applications, suggesting clean-energy ICE viability without heavy battery packs.
An experienced Austrian climber, Thomas Plamberger, is facing negligent manslaughter charges after his girlfriend Kerstin Gurtner froze to death on Austria's Grossglockner. Prosecutors allege nine planning and equipment mistakes and a delayed call for help; Plamberger reportedly left her near the summit, returning hours later to find her dead. He denies wrongdoing; a conviction could carry up to three years in prison as the trial begins.
Mercedes has secured a multi-year Microsoft sponsorship starting in 2026, shifting allegiance from Alpine. The Microsoft logo will appear on the W17 and drivers’ overalls, with the deal expanding Microsoft Azure and AI capabilities to boost computing, simulations, race strategy, and cross‑team analytics.
Alpine's 2025 F1 season was challenging, with their best result being Pierre Gasly's 6th place at Silverstone. The team faced several setbacks, including driver changes and internal upheaval, but focused on future success with new regulations in 2026, maintaining their driver lineup and switching to Mercedes power units. Gasly's performances and team unity were highlights, despite a tough year overall.
Franco Colapinto has secured a multi-year deal with Alpine to race in Formula 1 starting in 2026, despite a challenging 2025 season with no points scored. The team expressed strong support for his development and potential, emphasizing their commitment to his growth alongside Pierre Gasly.