After a challenging rookie campaign in FIA Formula 2, Gabriele Minì begins the 2026 F2 season with a clear objective: redemption. The Italian driver has embraced a new chapter with MP Motorsport, using the change of environment as an opportunity to reset, refocus, and rebuild momentum. Early signs suggest that the move has already paid off, with Minì showing strong pace and adaptability in his new surroundings.
A fresh start and renewed ambition for Minì in 2026 F2 Championship
Although his weekend in Melbourne did not unfold perfectly, Minì demonstrated resilience and racecraft by recovering from a difficult Qualifying session to score points in both races. Starting from 21st on the grid, he delivered a composed and determined performance, underlining his ability to recover from setbacks and compete at a high level.
Ahead of the season, Minì highlighted the preparation that has gone into his second year in the championship and the motivation driving his title ambitions.
“There’s been a lot of work during the winter, simulator with Alpine so I’m really looking forward to this year, because it’s a kind of redemption for me from last year. I understand a bit the way they work, both in terms of car setup, the environment – I really like the team.
“It’s really motivating. Last year, I don’t blame anyone, because we’re always giving our best on and off track, but in the end, results didn’t go our way, and those things certainly can happen in motorsport. But I’m really excited I have a chance at redemption for myself.”
A strengthened partnership with Alpine
Minì’s role as an Alpine F1 Team junior driver continues to play a key part in his development, reinforcing the confidence the team has in his long-term potential. His connection with Alpine has grown steadily over the past few seasons, providing both stability and valuable technical insight as he progresses towards Formula 1.
The relationship has also proven beneficial during race weekends and beyond, with simulator work helping both his personal development and Alpine’s performance. His contribution during the Chinese Grand Prix weekend, for example, played a role in the team securing its strongest result of the season so far.
“It’s really good to have someone that you already know together with you, because changing everything can be a bit difficult or strange sometimes. We’ve been having a lot of meetings, and a lot of simulator work. We’ve been together for the past three years, and they’ve always supported me on and off track, so it’s a really big help, and I’m grateful for this.”
Minì focused on turning 2025 challenges into strength for 2026 F2 campaign
Minì reflected on the difficulties he experienced in 2025, acknowledging that while the season was tough, it ultimately contributed to his growth as a driver. Rather than allowing setbacks to define him, he has focused on extracting lessons that can strengthen his approach in 2026.
The adversity he faced has helped him develop greater resilience, a trait he believes will be crucial as he navigates a highly competitive Formula 2 field. His response in Melbourne, where he recovered strongly after an early setback, already reflects that mindset in action.
“I think it’s really good to always have one season in a category, to understand a bit how it goes. We showed that last year the pace wasn’t really our issue, we did the first race weekend in Baku the year before and got a podium without any tests prior to that.
“Things didn’t go our way, so I think that’s not a big issue. We just have to be consistent and consistently scoring points to fight for the championship.”
Consistency as the key to the title fight
Looking ahead, Minì has identified consistency as the most important factor in his championship challenge. While outright speed has never been a concern, he understands that delivering strong results week after week will be essential if he is to remain in contention.
He emphasised that success in Formula 2 depends on sustained performance across the entire season, rather than isolated victories or strong starts. Avoiding unnecessary setbacks will be just as important as achieving podiums and wins.
“If you start well, it’s really good, but once again, it doesn’t mean if you can win the first four rounds, you can afford to do bad in the remaining 10. I think the main goal is to always be in the top five, top three, and fight for a championship like this.
“I know that if you want to fight for the front, you can’t afford many zeros, but it will all depend on the competition and how everything evolves across the season. So we’ll just do our best and be consistent with what we can control.”
Minì sets clear target for 2026 F2 campaign
With a new team, strong support from Alpine, and valuable lessons learned from his rookie season, Minì enters 2026 in a far stronger position. His blend of resilience, pace, and determination makes him a serious contender in what promises to be a highly competitive championship.
If he can maintain consistency and continue building on his early-season performances, Minì has every opportunity to mount a genuine title challenge and establish himself as one of Formula 2’s leading drivers.
