Alpine 'Hitting All Targets' for 2026 Car, Says Optimistic Gasly
Pierre Gasly says Alpine is "hitting all targets" for its 2026 F1 car, fueling optimism for the team's future after a difficult 2025 season.
Pierre Gasly is expressing significant optimism about Alpine's progress towards the 2026 Formula 1 season, revealing the team is "hitting all targets" for its all-new car. With a complete overhaul of regulations for chassis and power units on the horizon, Alpine made the strategic decision to halt development on its 2025 car early. Gasly's comments suggest this aggressive pivot is already paying dividends as they build their future contender.
Why it matters:
After a dismal 2025 season where Alpine finished last in the constructors' standings, the 2026 regulations represent a critical reset for the entire team. A strong start under the new rules is not just an opportunity; it's a necessity for the Enstone-based outfit to reclaim its status as a top-tier team and justify its early focus on the future over present results.
The details:
- Gasly's Confidence: The driver stated he's "very optimistic" about the new car, covering both "chassis-wise, engine-wise," and is excited for the '26 challenge.
- Regulatory Reset: The 2026 season introduces a massive rules package, including new power units and aerodynamic regulations, providing a clean slate for all teams.
- Strategic Sacrifice: Alpine stopped developing its 2025 car early to dedicate maximum resources to the 2026 project, a move that contributed to its poor performance this past season.
- Power Unit Shift: As part of its reset, Alpine will switch to Mercedes power units for 2025, a partnership that will continue into the new era.
- Putting 2025 Behind: Gasly didn't hide his relief, jokingly asking the team to "keep it out of my sight" and describing the previous car as difficult to drive.
What's next:
The coming months will be a critical period of development and simulation for Alpine as they aim to turn their promising targets into a genuinely competitive race car. All eyes will be on the team to see if their early optimism can translate into a significant leap up the grid when the 2026 car hits the track for pre-season testing.