For Alpine, the 2025 season proved disheartening in numerous ways. The team made an early strategic decision to prioritize the 2026 Formula 1 rules, effectively halting further improvements to their A525 vehicle.
Alpine acknowledged their astonishment at competitors who maintained a steady release of enhancements throughout the season. This factor, coupled with the Renault engine’s persistent power deficit, created a trying year, impacting both their competitive outcomes and the morale of the team.
Nevertheless, internal progress offered a brighter picture than what their final position in the constructors’ championship indicated. Notably, Pierre Gasly’s displays warrant recognition. Despite lacking a top-tier car, the French driver cultivated his role as a team leader, seizing the limited chances that appeared – such as securing a fourth-place start in Bahrain, sixth at Silverstone, and reaching Q3 three times in the last four races of 2025.
“Though I accumulated the fewest points of my Formula 1 career, I believe my individual showing was robust. This doesn’t provide much gratification, so I’m quite eager to put this year behind me,” Gasly commented as the previous season concluded.
While his feeling is certainly justifiable considering the outcomes, it presents an incomplete account. Indeed, Gasly and Alpine are keen to overcome a challenging year, yet this does not imply a lack of valuable insights from 2025. This holds true for Gasly’s personal growth – where he aimed to evolve beyond driving by sustaining team motivation – and for the collective advancements achieved by the Enstone-headquartered team.
Improved operational capability resulting from an underperforming vehicle?
These particular strengths remained largely unapparent during 2025, but Alpine is confident they can capitalize on them should their vehicle prove more competitive this current season.
“My satisfaction with the effort we’re investing alongside the team and all the preparatory work is at an all-time high,” Gasly articulated. “Collaborating with the crew to fine-tune the car through mapping and setup adjustments – having been with the team for three years now, they possess a clear grasp of my preferences. We maintain an open discussion where direct feedback is given, yet blame is never assigned. Our focus is on candidly evaluating our own output. Naturally, when you’re P10, there’s little room to conceal shortcomings, and I believe this has, in a way, enabled us as a unit to adopt a more impartial view of our strengths and areas requiring betterment. I feel, looking ahead, this past season has undeniably fortified our team.”
Pierre Gasly, Alpine
Photo by: Zak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images
Upon inquiry regarding the specific domains where this could yield the greatest advantage in 2026, the French driver elaborated:
“Improved dialogue and a clear grasp of our necessary advancements, our existing proficiencies, and strategies for further excellence. I believe we endeavored to maximize these efforts as much as possible, given the constraints of our equipment this year.”
From this perspective, the underperforming vehicle paradoxically offered some benefit: due to Alpine’s deficit in raw speed, the squad delved deeper into its operational boundaries than previously.
“When comprehensive performance is lacking, one tends to scrutinize minute details that might seem insignificant. I believe we pushed the boundaries considerably in our approach to mappings and vehicle configuration, our factory operations, the extensiveness of our debriefs, and the depth of our investigations. I genuinely feel this represents my most effective collaboration with the team.”
This experience has provided Alpine with unprecedented knowledge on how to fully exploit their existing equipment. While in 2025 this often proved insufficient for accumulating points, the situation should improve in 2026, ideally with an enhanced power unit. Gasly further stated: “We weren’t completely detached from the competition; rather, we were positioned at the less favorable end of the midfield. And indeed, regarding the genuine teamwork, that instills considerable confidence in me. Should we achieve a competitive vehicle, I believe our established procedures will enable us to deliver.”
His teammate, Franco Colapinto, echoes this sentiment: “I believe it’s quite straightforward: the most profound lessons are learned during challenging times. This year presented many setbacks, which ultimately fostered significant learning and a deep comprehension of various aspects.”
The Argentine driver expressed pleasant astonishment that the squad continued to identify advantageous elements within 2025.
“Maintaining persistence and driving forward during challenging periods, that was genuinely what took me aback,” Colapinto commented. “When circumstances aren’t favorable or align with expectations, sustaining enthusiasm and continuously seeking innovations week after week becomes difficult.”
Franco Colapinto, Alpine
Photo by: Zak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images
“However, I witnessed that dedication from the team. It was truly commendable and, I believe, will yield many positive outcomes once the vehicle becomes competitive. The team merits such success as well; hopefully, it materializes sooner rather than later.”
Gasly, on his part, eagerly anticipates that juncture. Given a Mercedes power unit and the insights gained from the previous year, a significant improvement is expected in 2026. Despite ongoing debates about the new regulations and their potential impact on race quality, the French driver unequivocally states that after eight Formula 1 seasons, his sole concern is victory. Spectacle is a lesser priority.
“I find no pleasure in my standing from the previous season, and I am certain I will revel in competing at the forefront. Even if the races weren’t the most thrilling, we would still be the leading performers among all drivers of these vehicles, wouldn’t we?” Gasly remarked.
“I am confident that individuals such as [Fernando] Alonso or Lewis [Hamilton] can attest that their driving style in 2007 significantly differed from 2014, when the new power units were introduced. And once more, it was distinct from their approach in 2021. Therefore, as a competitor, one must consistently adjust to shifts in regulations. Numerous elements require consideration, but personally, my desire is to be at the leading edge of the pack. I’ve spent a considerable time in F1, achieving several podium finishes and a victory, but I recognize that from a competitive standpoint, I wish to contend with the top drivers, knowing I possess that capability.”
The adequacy of their equipment for 2026 is yet to be determined, however, as Formula 1 enters its new chapter, Alpine’s outlook is marginally more optimistic than the previous year: they aspire to benefit operationally from their most arduous season to date.
Coupled with an updated power unit, this combination is expected to yield at least an improvement in 2026. While certain avenues have concluded at Viry, Alpine and Gasly harbor aspirations that a route to triumph is now emerging from these developments.
