Pierre Gasly has explained that Alpine’s commitment to preparing for the major Formula 1regulation changes in 2026 has affected the team‘s competitiveness during the current 2025 season. The Renault-owned Alpine team currently ranks 10th in the Constructors’ Championship, with Gasly expressing doubt over their potential to climb higher in the standings this year.
Alpine’s season has been challenging. The driver lineup initially featured Gasly alongside Jack Doohan, who was replaced by Franco Colapinto after the MiamiGrand Prix. This change came amid additional team instability, including the unexpected departure of team principal Oliver Oakes, who had been with the team for less than a year. Since then, Flavio Briatore has taken a central role in managing Alpine’s operations, and he will soon be supported by Steve Nielsen, who is set to join in September in a senior position following his time with Formula One Management.
Gasly indicated that Nielsen’s expertise is expected to be more impactful on the 2026 campaign than the remainder of the current season. Reflecting on the car’s development, Gasly commented,
“The reality of it is the car’s been the same since Barcelona, and will remain the same until the end of the year,”
highlighting the limited upgrades available for the current model.
He added,
“On one side, you’ve got to be objective and realistic on what’s achievable. Steve will arrive in September, and I think his impact and his work will be mainly seen on 2026 and beyond. Steve’s got to focus on next year. We know all the work that we are putting in for 2026, we are pleased with what we’re doing and the evolution.”
Gasly also expressed optimism about the future, stating,
Image of: Pierre Gasly
“I’m confident. I believe in the team and the fact that they’ll be able to give me a competitive car next year.”
Alpine’s Strategic Shifts Ahead of 2026 Regulations
The forthcoming 2026 season promises significant changes for Alpine, as the team will abandon its factoryRenault power units in favor of a customer engine supplied by Mercedes. The current Renault power unit is regarded as slightly less powerful than its rivals, posing challenges in car setup that have hampered Alpine’s performance. Opting to discontinue the Viry power unit program has not only allowed Renault to reduce costs by millions but also positions the team for improved competitiveness.
The 2025 season has seen most teams prioritizing their resources and developments toward next year’s car, leading to few enhancements on current models. With limited scope to boost performance during the season, the existing Constructors’ Championship order has remained largely consistent.
Gasly acknowledged this reality:
“The reality of it is this season, this is what we have, and it’s going to be extremely difficult to change the position that we are in.”
He clarified that Alpine is not underperforming due to lack of effort:
“It doesn’t mean we are doing a bad job at the track or back at the factory, we just haven’t been able to produce a car in a season where the midfield is extremely tight.”
Gasly also reflected on the strategic choice to prioritize 2026 development over immediate gains, explaining,
“With the sort of decisions we made for ’26, we haven’t been able to provide enough performance to fight for better than that, which is fine, because at the end of the day, whether you finish ninth or eighth, or 10th in the championship, [you’re] still fighting for nothing, pretty much.”
He concluded with a clear view on the trade-off:
“But, if it gives you a car that can fight for race wins, podiums, or top fives next season, I’ll take that every day of the week.”
Implications for Alpine’s Future in Formula 1
Alpine’s decision to channel efforts into preparing for the 2026 regulation overhaul reflects a broader trend among Formula 1 teams facing significant rule changes. While this has resulted in a subdued campaign in 2025, it is a calculated move aimed at gaining an advantage when the new regulations come into effect. The switch to Mercedes power units and anticipated chassis updates offer Alpine the potential to improve its standing and competitiveness dramatically.
The arrival of Steve Nielsen in a leadership role is expected to bring additional stability and focus to Alpine’s development programs. Although the team‘s current position in the Constructors’ Championship remains low, the groundwork laid this season could provide dividends, positioning Alpine to pursue stronger results, including race wins and podium finishes, in the coming years.
