The 2026 season is shaping up to be a decisive turning point for Alpine, and Pierre Gasly is at the forefront of this transformation. After a challenging 2025 season, the French driver is eagerly awaiting the moment when the team can finally shine on the Formula 1 grid with a new car full of promise.
A Sacrificed Season to Bounce Back
Alpine acknowledges: the 2026 season will be one not to miss for the Franco-British team. Enstone has pinned all its hopes on the new regulations, seeing it as a final chance to return among the best teams on the Formula 1 grid. The decision to sacrifice the 2025 season to focus on developing the new car was not easy, and the price to pay was heavy at the end of the campaign. Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto spent several months struggling at the back of the pack, driving an A525 that was clearly outclassed by its competitors.
The announcement of the 2026 car livery, officially unveiled this Friday, marks the kickoff of this new era for Alpine and was particularly anticipated at Enstone, especially on Gasly’s side. “I have been waiting for this day and this moment for about nine months now, so I am really looking forward to seeing what happens,” said the Frenchman during the presentation. “This is a huge change for all of us, extremely complex: complicated for the teams, complicated for the engine manufacturers.”
<img src=”
” alt=”The livery of the Alpine A526.” />
The livery of the Alpine A526.
Challenges to Overcome
In reality, the season had already begun for the French driver, who took the wheel of the A526 earlier in the week for a first shakedown of the car at the Silverstone circuit. “The main goal of this test was simply to get the car on track, which was successfully achieved,” explained Gasly. “And honestly, immense credit goes to the teams, who have done a colossal job to ensure that the car is complete, functional, and can run.”
“We all know how difficult it is, especially when we see the challenges faced by other teams. This running was therefore extremely valuable.”
Rising from the Ashes
During the long months of the 2025 season, Pierre Gasly never hid his frustration with the car’s performance, as well as some difficulties encountered within the team. The experience was particularly challenging for the Frenchman and for Alpine, which was almost stuck at the bottom of the constructors’ championship all year. Nevertheless, Gasly never wavered in his confidence in the Enstone team, nor questioned the deliberate choice to shift all efforts toward 2026 early in the season.
The driver is convinced that these difficult months were not in vain and that the trials faced in 2025 also helped strengthen the collective and lay a more solid foundation for the future. “I said it at the end of Abu Dhabi, once the season was over: these difficult periods tend to either divide or bring us closer together,” he confided. “And I was very impressed by the mindset and mentality of the team throughout the year.”
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” alt=”The livery of the Alpine A526.” />
The livery of the Alpine A526.
A Strengthened Bond Within the Team
“We have really come closer together. There is now a very strong bond within the team, between all the staff and the drivers. These difficulties have clearly made us stronger collectively, and I hope we can finally demonstrate that on the track.”
“I have complete confidence in the team and the people who make it up. I have seen firsthand the mindset at the factory, the investment of the teams, and the hours they put in: it is truly impressive. It is also this work that has allowed us to arrive at Silverstone with a car ready to run.”
Toward Promising Horizons
In 2026, Gasly will begin his fourth season with Alpine. Determined to advance the team, the Frenchman mainly hopes to finally be able to compete at the front: “Honestly, since my arrival, we have never really been at the level I hoped with this team. I sincerely hope that 2026 will finally be the year when everything falls into place.”
With a busy calendar and high expectations, it is clear that every member of Alpine will need to double their efforts. The pressure will be high, but with a united and determined team, who knows what the future holds for the blue and pink on the circuits?
