MSC Cruises and the BWT Alpine Formula One Team have made history today by becoming the first to reveal their car's colors on board a cruise ship.
The team's livery for their 2026 car, the A526, was revealed during an exclusive event aboard MSC Cruises' European flagship, MSC World Europa, in Barcelona, while docked at the new, state-of-the-art MSC Cruises terminal.
This historic event brought together drivers Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto, Alpine's executive advisor Flavio Briatore, MSC Cruises' CEO Pierfrancesco Vago, and a select group of VIP guests.
The ship ran on Bio-LNG via the European Mass Balance system, meaning MSC World Europe had net-zero 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 MSC Cruises is also preparing to use in the future.
MSC World Europe, 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 of expertise and stand as industry leaders in innovation, efficiency, and cutting-edge design.
Pierfrancesco Vago, CEO of MSC Cruises, said: “We are incredibly proud to have been part of this legendary moment aboard MSC World Europa. While cruising and Formula 1®may seem worlds apart, we share the same DNA: a deep commitment to teamwork, innovation, and creating unforgettable moments, like those our exceptional crew delivers every day on board our ships.”
“Our partnership with the BWT Alpine Formula One Team is based not only on shared values, but also on strong ties to the excellence of French engineering, making it especially meaningful to celebrate this historic event on a boat designed and built in France. I am also very proud to collaborate with a team that shares the same commitment to achieving zero emissions.”.
BWT Alpine Formula One Team's executive advisor, Flavio Briatore, stated: “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 hosting us here in Barcelona today on this incredible ship, the 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 Formula 1 history, especially for us with the new technical regulations. We start the season with a clean slate and a great opportunity to be more competitive than in previous campaigns .”
“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 excites us greatly.”.
“It’s fantastic to have so many partners at an event like this. I thank everyone, 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 mineralized water, freshly filtered and mineralized on board using BWT's state-of-the-art purification technology.
The full implementation of this water, AQUA by MSC, across the entire fleet will eliminate 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 collaboration between MSC Cruises and the BWT Alpine Formula One Team.
The BWT Alpine Formula One Team drivers and VIP guests had the opportunity to explore the ship before gathering in the Panorama Lounge, the theater surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows offering panoramic ocean views and a stunning backdrop of the Port of Barcelona and the new, modern MSC Cruises terminal, to witness the world premiere 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 water slide, The Venom Drop @ The Spiral.
Guests were also able to experience MSC Cruises' gastronomy, alongside one of the company's award-winning chefs who created a menu inspired by the restaurants on board MSC World Europe and various concepts found throughout the fleet.
Passengers aboard MSC World Europa will be among the first to see BWT Alpine Formula One Team's new 2026 car up close, as it will remain on board the ship for the following days.
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