The Finn completed only 10 laps in the Alfa Romeo C42, the least of any driver on the day, as his team struggled with reliability issues.
Barcelona was the first venue to showcase these new challengers, with the ten teams taking to the track for a three-day testing session.
Alfa Romeo became the final team to reveal their challenger's livery for the season, which they described to be a subtle nod to the past.
Alpine finished fifth in the F1 constructor's championship in 2021 but believe they can push on further this year.
The Brit set the pace for McLaren on the first day of testing at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, finishing fourth overall.
Alfa Romeo encountered a number of issues during the three-day testing at Barcelona, severely limiting their track time.
Russell finished sixth fastest after completing 66 laps in the afternoon session at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on Thursday.
Max Verstappen was ninth fastest on the first day of pre-season testing in Barcelona. However, he clocked 147 laps with the RBR-18.
Otmar Szafnauer was appointed Alpine's team principal only recently, having departed Aston Martin at the end of the 2021 season.
Lando Norris recently signed a new deal that will keep him in the team until the end of the 2025 F1 season.