Alpine Concedes 2024 F1 Season Not 'Good Enough,' Shifts Focus to 2026

Alpine's managing director Steve Nielsen has admitted that the Enstone-based team isn't achieving "good enough outcomes" in the current F1 season, having prioritized development for 2026 earlier than its competitors. The French squad currently sits at the bottom of the Constructors' Championship with only three races remaining.

Why it matters:

Alpine's early pivot to 2026 and its decision to become a Mercedes power unit customer mark a significant strategic shift. This move, while sacrificing immediate performance, underscores the team's long-term ambition to return to competitiveness by concentrating solely on chassis development under the new regulations. It's a high-stakes gamble that could redefine Alpine's future in Formula 1.

The details:

• Alpine has accumulated only 22 points this season, all scored by Pierre Gasly, placing them 40 points behind Stake in ninth position.
• Steve Nielsen acknowledged that balancing the demands of the current season with the development of a completely new car for 2026 meant their "efforts in 2025 took a bit of a hit."
• Unorthodox Strategy: Alpine has made the unprecedented decision to abandon its works team status for 2026. Instead, it will become a customer team, utilizing Mercedes power units starting with the new regulation cycle.
  • The core belief behind this decision is that by not having to develop their own power unit, Alpine can fully dedicate its resources and attention to optimizing its chassis.
• Nielsen stated, "We will only know in Melbourne next year the result of that decision-making," referring to the start of the 2026 season.
• Despite the long-term focus, the team remains committed to extracting the best possible performance in the remaining races of the 2024 season.
• Pierre Gasly scored points at Interlagos, his first since before the F1 summer break, showing intermittent performance potential.
• Nielsen confirmed the team accepts their likely tenth-place finish in the championship but is determined to secure more points in the final three events.

What's next:

Alpine's bold strategy for 2026, including the shift to Mercedes power, is a high-risk, high-reward approach. The true impact of these decisions will only become clear when the new regulations kick in and the first cars hit the track. For now, the team is focused on concluding a challenging 2024 season with as many points as possible, while quietly building towards a more competitive future.