Why Pierre Gasly Firmly Believes in Alpine’s 2026 Revival
“I have a lot of reasons to be hopeful,” he told media, pointing to a technical restructure and the upcoming partnership with Mercedes. Despite skepticism after a year where Alpine scored just 22 points, Gasly insists: “Everything is aligning.”
The 2025 Nightmare: “A Season to Forget”
Alpine’s 2025 campaign was historically bad. Finishing 10th in the standings—431 points behind champions McLaren—the team hit rock bottom. However, the early shift to abandon the 2025 car provided a silver lining: extra wind tunnel time and a “clean slate” mentality for the new regulation cycle.
Three Pillars of Hope
1. Restructured Technical Leadership
Gasly praised the Enstone factory as a “hub of exceptional talent,” bolstered by recruits from Ferrari, Red Bull, and Mercedes. The return of Flavio Briatore as Executive Advisor and the leadership of Steve Nielsen have restored ambition. “We’ve got the right people—now we need to execute,” Gasly stated.
2. The Mercedes Engine
The switch from Renault to Mercedes power is the biggest technical shift. With rumors suggesting the 2026 Mercedes unit is class-leading in weight and energy deployment, Gasly sees it as a massive upgrade. “From what I hear in the paddock, Mercedes is in a great place. That’s a huge boost for us,” he said, though acknowledging the risks of being a customer team.
3. Regulatory Reset
The 2026 overhaul (lighter cars, active aero) levels the playing field. Alpine pivoted to 2026 back in April 2025, gaining an 8-month head start. The plan is to debut a « Spec A » car in testing and upgrade rapidly.
The Big Gamble: Can Alpine Deliver?
Gasly’s confidence isn’t blind faith—it’s backed by tangible structural changes compared to the failures of 2025.
| Factor | 2025 Reality | 2026 Potential |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | Renault (uncompetitive) | Mercedes (potential best-in-class) |
| Technical Team | Disjointed, demoralized | Reinforced, experienced hires |
| Regulations | Stagnant development | Fresh start, new aero concepts |
| Management | Instability | Briatore/Nielsen leadership |
Conclusion: A Make-or-Break Year
Alpine’s 2026 season is do-or-die. Success means a return to the midfield fight; failure signals an existential crisis. Gasly, having signed through 2028, is betting his career on this revival.
“I’ve seen the work at Enstone. I’ve met the people. I know what we’re capable of. 2026 isn’t a hope—it’s a plan.”
— Pierre Gasly
Sources
- Motorsport.com (FR): Gasly on Alpine’s restructuring
- LastWordOnSports: Analysis of the Mercedes engine switch
- Sportskeeda: 2025 season statistics and quotes
- RacingNews365: « Spec A » development strategy
- AFP: Context on Flavio Briatore’s influence