Alpine F1 Team: History, Wins & Championship Stats

The Alpine F1 Team, competing as the BWT Alpine Formula One Team, is a Formula 1 constructor based in Enstone, Oxfordshire, England, racing under a French licence. While the Alpine name and identity dates to 2021, the team's Enstone factory carries one of the deepest and most storied lineages in the sport, tracing back more than four decades through several of Formula 1's most successful operations.

Origins as Toleman and Benetton (1981–2001)

The team's roots stretch back to 1981, when it entered Formula 1 as Toleman, based in Witney, England. Toleman gave a young Ayrton Senna his Formula 1 debut in 1984 before being acquired by the Benetton Group in 1986 and rebranded as Benetton. Ahead of the 1992 season, the team relocated to Enstone, the facility that remains its home to this day. Benetton became a genuine championship force in the mid-1990s, winning back-to-back Drivers' Championships with Michael Schumacher in 1994 and 1995, and the Constructors' Championship in 1995 — a period widely regarded as one of the team's finest.

The Renault Years and a New Golden Era (2002–2011)

Renault acquired Benetton in 2000 and renamed the operation the Renault F1 Team by 2002, marking a return to Formula 1 as a full constructor for the French manufacturer, which had previously fielded a team from 1977 to 1985. Renault's second act at Enstone delivered further championship glory, with Fernando Alonso winning back-to-back Drivers' Championships in 2005 and 2006, while the team claimed the Constructors' title in both years. The team briefly competed as Lotus Renault GP in 2011 following a title sponsorship deal, before reverting to the Renault name.

Lotus Branding and Return to Renault (2011–2020)

The Enstone operation competed under the Lotus name for several seasons in the early 2010s, taking further Grand Prix wins with drivers including Kimi Räikkönen, before Renault reacquired full control and restored its own branding for the 2016 season, continuing to develop the team through the following years.

The Alpine Era (2021–Present)

Renault rebranded the team as Alpine ahead of the 2021 season, promoting its French sports car marque. The new identity delivered an immediate highlight: Esteban Ocon won a chaotic, rain-affected 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix, marking the Renault Group's first Formula 1 victory since 2008 and the first win for an Enstone-based team since 2013. The team has continued to develop under Alpine branding since, with a driver lineup led into the 2026 season by Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto, and a switch to customer Mercedes power units marking a new chapter for the team's technical direction as it works to return to championship contention.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Full name: BWT Alpine Formula One Team
• Base: Enstone, Oxfordshire, England
• Founded (as current entity): 2021; factory lineage dates to 1981 (Toleman)
• Previous names: Toleman, Benetton, Renault, Lotus Renault GP
• Team Leadership: Flavio Briatore (Executive Advisor), Steve Nielsen (Managing Director)
• 2026 Drivers: Pierre Gasly, Franco Colapinto
• Engine: Mercedes
• Constructors' Championships (as Alpine): 0
• Constructors' Championships (factory lineage): 3 (1995 as Benetton; 2005, 2006 as Renault)
• Race victories (as Alpine): 1
• Race victories (factory lineage): 50