Alpine are floundering this season and sit at the foot of the F1 Constructors’ Championship after nine rounds so far this year.
The French team has scored points just twice, both times through Pierre Gasly in Japan and last time out at the Spanish Grand Prix.
Alongside a lack of performance, the second car has also failed to deliver. Jack Doohan looked unspectacular in the opening six rounds, while Franco Colapinto looks less assured than he did in 2024 at Williams.
Despite a challenging campaign, 2026 may present some opportunities for Alpine to move forward and compete at the front.
There will be a significant overhaul of the chassis and engine regulations with Alpine looking to benefit from Mercedes customer engines.
Pierre Gasly knows Alpine see 2026 as a significant chance
The new rules next year may allow Alpine to take a step forward with Mercedes engines after struggling to fight at the front throughout the hybrid era.
Gasly explained in Spain: “As a team, we’re all aware of the opportunities that the new regulation brings. We probably know that it’s our best chance and best shot as a team over the last 10-12 years. It’s a complete revamp.
“You start from a complete new page. There’s going to be a change of PU, which is obviously a big thing for the team. We’ve tried the car and the simulator.
“It’s very different to what we’re seeing now. I think it’s a great technical challenge for our team. I can see that the staff and the experience, the processes we’re putting in place at the factory are much better than when I joined in 2023.
“There is everything to bring that optimism into the team and being aware that clearly there is that huge opportunity that we must seize from next year on.”
They will face a lot of competition, with the larger teams expected to perform well. Audi is taking over the Sauber team, and Cadillac is making up the 11th team on the grid.
Flavio Briatore is very optimistic about Alpine’s F1 prospects
Flavio Briatore is now in full control of the Alpine team after Oliver Oakes resigned earlier this season. The Italian also pushed for Colapinto to drive for the team.
Briatore feels his team can score race wins next year: “In 2026, we can win races, I guarantee it, and in 2027, we want to be title contenders.
“In 2026, there will be no excuses: we must be competitive. We owe it to Renault [parent company], to Alpine…we’re in this sport to win, and with the new regulations coming in 2026, the teams that interpret them best will have the edge.”
Alpine may take a step forward next year but there is a lot of uncertainty around the incoming Mercedes power and Gasly’s teammate amid Colapinto’s underperformances.
The French team has yet to build a winning culture with a lack of pace and just a sole double podium in 2024 at the rain-affected F1 São Paulo Grand Prix.
