During Alpine’s 2026 presentation in Barcelona, Flavio Briatore declared that his squad was out of justifications. However, instead of being apprehensive about the increased demands, the challenging 2025 season served to strengthen the team, making them eagerly anticipate the opportunity to demonstrate their capabilities.
Alpine’s optimistic atmosphere was palpable as they commenced their new season aboard the MSC World Europa. Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto unveiled the A526 beneath the sparkling chandeliers of the vessel’s Panorama Lounge, an elegant auditorium situated at the rear of the immense 333-meter ship.
For more than a year, this particular juncture had been the focus of the esteemed Formula 1 outfit. It marked a fresh beginning as a client of Mercedes, relieving them of the frequently problematic division between their Enstone base and their previous engine facility in Viry-Chatillon, which had suffered from insufficient funding in recent times to foster achievement.
“The engine is no longer a topic of discussion for anyone”
Alpine reached its lowest point in 2025, a year where the performance gap of its power unit became evident as the whole field converged. This outcome compelled the team to halt aerodynamic development prematurely and commit entirely to the regulatory overhaul planned for 2026.
Gasly secured all 22 points for Alpine, primarily during the initial segment of the season, whereas Jack Doohan and his successor Colapinto failed to register any points.
Undoubtedly, this was the appropriate choice, considering the significant benefits poised to be reaped from Formula 1’s most extensive rule changes in decades. Yet, this didn’t alleviate the daily struggles, as the team eagerly awaited the conclusion of 2025, a 24-race season that seemed interminable. On Friday, executive advisor Briatore commented, “From an emotional standpoint, I believe it was a very tough call. We’ll have to wait and see; only time will reveal whether our judgment was sound.”
Flavio Briatore, Alpine Team Principal
Photo by: Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
Gasly stated that the arduous period fostered greater unity within the team and enabled them to refine aspects within their control, such as their pitlane activities. When Autosport inquired about any silver linings from 2025, he responded, “I’ve been quite impressed by the team’s disposition and approach throughout the entire year. I believe a powerful connection exists among all personnel and drivers within the team. I think it certainly solidified our collective strength, and hopefully, we can demonstrate that. I have complete faith in our team and staff.
“The attitude at the manufacturing plant is highly commendable; I’ve witnessed the dedicated efforts of the individuals there. This commitment enabled us to reach the Silverstone shakedown with the vehicle fully prepared. Since our arrival in 2023, we haven’t quite met my desired performance standard with this team, and I genuinely hope 2026 will be our breakthrough year.”
The beginning of a fresh chapter has injected new vitality into Alpine, partly due to the effective introduction of the Mercedes power unit, notwithstanding the current uncertainty regarding whether the engine will outperform rivals, a notion frequently circulated within the racing community.
Briatore stated, “At the very least, upon reaching the circuit, I won’t have to inquire about our deficit in tenths. Engines are no longer a subject of conversation for anyone. Gearboxes are also off the table. Now, it’s down to our engineering team to collaborate and integrate the aerodynamics onto the car, and then the responsibility falls to the drivers. But crucially, two concerns have been alleviated for us.”
David Sanchez, the technical director, noted that successfully conducting a flawless 140km shakedown at a very cold Silverstone marked a promising start to their collaboration. Only conditions close to warranting a red flag kept Gasly from completing his allocated 200km for the filming day.
Alpine A526 livery
Photo by: Alpine
Sanchez clarified, “We anticipate nine testing days, so much will transpire during that period. Nevertheless, being able to run laps immediately without interruptions provides a significant boost in confidence, suggesting we can arrive in Barcelona and proceed with our tasks effectively.”
However, attributing all of the recent difficulties solely to the engine would be an oversimplification. With the engine and transmission now sourced externally, the Enstone facility has been free to concentrate on optimizing its chassis and aerodynamic departments, following several underwhelming seasons.
Briatore stated, “To rejoin the top five or six teams in Formula 1, it’s essential to develop the vehicle significantly earlier, as we have done with the 2026 model. Essentially, our 2026 car entered the wind tunnel on January 2nd and has remained there, giving us an advantage of at least three or four months over our competitors. Furthermore, we now possess the necessary power. We once again have skilled personnel at Enstone. I am content and simply awaiting Monday [for the commencement of the Barcelona shakedown week], along with Bahrain and Australia.”
A key objective for Alpine involves maximizing Colapinto’s potential. Following two appearances with Williams and an unexpected mid-season entry into a race position with Alpine, the 22-year-old Argentine has finally enjoyed a proper pre-season in anticipation of his inaugural full-length campaign. Nevertheless, given his placement in the team at Doohan’s expense, and having already experienced Briatore’s stern guidance, Colapinto fully recognizes the need to elevate his performance to secure his spot for the entire season.
Colapinto, who presented a self-assured and articulate image during the car’s unveiling and appeared notably more muscular than a year prior, declared, “As a collective, there are no further justifications. The engine has been modified, and the rules have been altered. We must now exert effort and deliver results. Last year, our concentration was on 2026, and now 2026 is here. This is the opportunity to strive for and achieve the outcomes that the team merits. They have been diligently working, and hopefully, it is a rapid vehicle, enabling us to attain our anticipated successes.”
“For my part, collaborating with the team from the beginning of the year and concentrating on numerous additional elements proved crucial. Witnessing the team’s car development is thrilling, and just recently, seeing their emotional reaction as they first took the vehicle to the track was moving. A considerable amount of unseen work occurs behind the scenes. It was my initial experience observing such dedication within a team, making it a truly significant moment for both myself and everyone at Alpine.”
Responding to inquiries about his hopes for Colapinto, Briatore stated: “Last year marked Franco’s debut in Formula 1. There were numerous expectations and various factors involved. The situation wasn’t handled optimally. This season, you observe Franco’s demeanor, he appears considerably more mature. He’s no longer the youthful individual we saw last year. We dedicated a significant amount of time working with him over the winter.”
Pierre Gasly & Franco Colapinto, Alpine
Photo by: Alpine
“Franco’s main challenge primarily lay in qualifying, as his race pace was comparable to Pierre’s. He merely needed to pilot the car and qualify based on skill, rather than being swayed by emotion. He is also progressing well and performs very effectively at the facility. We dedicated extensive hours in the simulator. Thus, we have exhausted every available avenue.”
This time, there is nowhere to conceal oneself; Alpine’s 2026 motto resonated throughout the halls of the World Europa. Indeed, this implies heightened pressure. Yet, following a catastrophic 2025, this is precisely the sort of chance the team has been yearning for.
