- BWT Alpine Formula One Team becomes the first Formula 1 team in the history of the sport to unveil its design aboard a cruise ship.
- The team officially unveiled the 2026 colours for its car, the A526, at an event held on MSC Cruises’ MSC World Europa ship in Barcelona today.
- The event reinforces the collaboration between MSC Cruises and the BWT Alpine Formula One Team, underlining their joint commitment to French industrial excellence.
MSC Cruises and the BWT Alpine Formula One Team made history today by becoming the first to unveil their car’s colours on board a cruise ship.
The team’s livery for its 2026 car, the A526, was revealed during an exclusive event aboard MSC Cruises’ European flagship, MSC World Europa, in Barcelona, while docked at MSC Cruises’ new state-of-the-art terminal.
This historic event brought together drivers Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto, Alpine executive advisor Flavio Briatore, MSC Cruises executive chairman Pierfrancesco Vago, and a select group of VIP guests.
The ship ran on Bio-LNG through the European Mass Balance system, meaning that MSC World Europa had zero net carbon emissions throughout the event. This approach complements the BWT Alpine Formula One Team’s new car, which will run on synthetic fuel for the 2026 season, a fuel that MSC Cruises is also preparing to use in the future.
MSC World Europa, built in Saint-Nazaire (France) by Chantiers de l’Atlantique, and Alpine, which operates a car factory in Dieppe, proudly embody the ‘Made in France’ tradition. Both companies represent the best in engineering savoir-faire and are industry leaders in innovation, efficiency and cutting-edge design.
Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of MSC Cruises, said: “We are very proud to have been part of this legendary moment aboard MSC World Europa. Although cruises and Formula 1® may seem worlds apart, we share the same DNA: a deep commitment to teamwork, innovation and creating unforgettable moments, such as those our exceptional crew provides every day on board our ships”
“Our collaboration with the BWT Alpine Formula One Team is based not only on shared values, but also on strong links with French engineering excellence, which makes it particularly meaningful to celebrate this historic event on a ship designed and built in France. I am also very proud to be collaborating with a team that shares the same commitment to achieving zero emissions.”
BWT Alpine Formula One Team Executive Advisor Flavio Briatore said: “Today marks the beginning of a new chapter for BWT Alpine Formula One Team. I am very grateful to our partners at MSC Cruises, not only for welcoming us here today in Barcelona on this incredible ship, MSC World Europa, but also for their support and commitment to the team. They have proven to be true partners as we prepare for what will undoubtedly be a unique season in the history of Formula 1, especially for us with the new technical regulations. We are starting the season with a clean slate and a great opportunity to be more competitive than in previous campaigns,” he added.
“It has been a very intense few months at the Enstone factory preparing for the season, designing and creating the A526, together with Mercedes-AMG, who will supply the new power unit and gearbox from this season onwards; a collaboration that we are very excited about.”
‘It’s fantastic to have so many partners at an event like this. I would like to thank them all, both new and existing, for their commitment to the team, especially after the challenges we faced on the track last year.’
Guests at the event enjoyed BWT mineralised water, freshly filtered and mineralised on board using BWT’s state-of-the-art purification technology.
The full implementation of this water, AQUA by MSC, across the fleet will mean the elimination of an average of more than 4 million plastic bottles per month. By 2026, this will represent an annual average of more than 49 million single-use plastic bottles, demonstrating MSC Cruises’ commitment to reducing its environmental impact, a commitment shared with the BWT Alpine Formula One Team.
This historic presentation is part of the global partnership between MSC Cruises and the BWT Alpine Formula One Team.
MSC Cruises has been a premium partner of the team since February 2025 and a global sponsor of Formula 1® since 2022.
About MSC WORLD EUROPA AND THE EVENT
MSC World Europa is the first ship in MSC Cruises’ World Class series, which is among the most energy-efficient ships in the world and reinforces the company’s commitment to LNG and ensuring readiness for the renewable fuels of the future.
The BWT Alpine Formula One Team drivers and VIP guests had the opportunity to explore the ship before gathering in the Panorama Lounge, the theatre surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows offering panoramic views of the ocean and a stunning backdrop of the port of Barcelona and MSC Cruises’ new state-of-the-art terminal, to witness the global unveiling of the latest F1 car.
This ship has more than 13 restaurants, 20 bars and lounges, six swimming pools, and a spectacular 11-deck-high slide, The Venom Drop @ The Spiral.
Guests were also able to experience MSC Cruises’ cuisine, alongside one of the company’s award-winning chefs who created a menu inspired by the restaurants on board MSC World Europa and various concepts found throughout the fleet.
The menu showcased the creativity and expertise of MSC Cruises’ culinary teams, with signature dishes such as beef tagliata with pesto and rocket, cold lobster medallion with coriander and lime cream with Siberian caviar, and sautéed scallops with apple and fennel confit and truffle dressing.
Passengers aboard MSC World Europa will be among the first to see the BWT Alpine Formula One Team’s new 2026 car up close, as it will remain on board the ship for the next few days.
Source: BURSON GLOBAL