Pierre Gasly has voiced strong belief in Alpine’s car development for the 2026 Formula 1 season, despite the team‘s ongoing difficulties this year. Although Alpine currently ranks near the bottom of the Constructors’ Championship, Gasly’s conviction in the project grows as the team navigates an inconsistent campaign.
The French driver joined Alpine in 2023 and quickly made his mark by achieving significant results, including a podium finish. However, Alpine’s performance has declined during the 2024 season, with both drivers often failing to break into the top 10, reflecting broader struggles within the team.
Gasly highlighted his sixth-place finish at Silverstone as evidence of Alpine’s underlying capability and potential for growth. He remains confident that the team can rebuild and contend for race victories once the new 2026 regulations come into effect.
“At the end, I’m P6 I go back home. So you could say it’s only a P6 and nobody really cares about the P6 which in some ways is true. But then at the same time, I know my time will come,” he told RacingNews365.
“And you know what I’m working on at the moment, with Flavio [Briatore] to make sure I get a race winning package for next year.”
Leadership changes and current performance outlook
Alpine experienced significant management shifts this year, including the departure of former team principal Oliver Oakes and the return of Flavio Briatore as Executive Advisor in June 2024. Briatore’s comeback was unexpected, sparking hopes for more stability, but Alpine’s struggles on track have persisted.
Additionally, the team signed Steve Nielsen as Managing Director, who is scheduled to join in September. Despite these changes, Gasly noted that Alpine’s on-track performance has remained static since the Spanish Grand Prix, suggesting no immediate improvements are on the horizon for the current season.
“The reality of it is the car has been the same since Barcelona and will remain the same until the end of the year,” he said (via F1). “On one side, you’ve got to be objective and realistic on what’s achievable.”
Gasly explained that any notable impact from Nielsen will primarily influence Alpine’s prospects starting with the 2026 season, when new technical regulations come into play.
“Steve will arrive in September, and I think his impact and his work will be mainly seen on 2026 and beyond. Honestly, Steve’s got to focus on next year. We know all the work that we are putting for 2026. We are pleased with what we are doing and the evolution.”
He emphasized his confidence in the team‘s progress and future competitiveness:
“I’m confident. I believe in the team and the fact that they’ll be able to give me a competitive car next year.”
Performance highlights and future prospects for Alpine and Gasly
So far this season, Pierre Gasly has frequently finished outside the points, though his few top-10 results have been notable. His best finishes include sixth place at Silverstone and seventh in Bahrain, showing glimpses of the team‘s potential despite broader challenges.
Gasly’s determination and trust in Alpine’s work ahead reflect a hopeful mindset as both driver and team prepare for the critical transition into the 2026 regulations. This confidence underscores their commitment to developing a race-winning car and regaining competitiveness within Formula 1.
