Gasly 'Very Optimistic' About Alpine's 2026 Mercedes-Powered Future

Pierre Gasly is expressing strong optimism for Alpine's 2026 Formula 1 campaign, fueled by the team's strategic shift to become a Mercedes customer. After a dismal 2025 season where they finished last in the standings, the Frenchman believes the Enstone-based team is 'hitting all its targets' with its new power unit and chassis package, signaling a potential return to form.

Why it matters:

Alpine's decision to abandon its works status and become a customer team is a monumental shift for a manufacturer with a rich F1 history. This move, driven by years of struggling with its own Renault power units, represents a high-stakes gamble to reclaim competitiveness. A successful transition could see Alpine rapidly climb back from the back of the grid to the midfield, while failure would cement its recent decline.

The details:

• The Big Switch: Alpine has closed its Viry-Chatillon engine factory to focus exclusively on chassis development at Enstone, securing Mercedes power units for the new era.
• Driver Confidence: Gasly, who scored all 22 of Alpine's points in 2025 and is under contract until 2028, stated he's "very optimistic" and that "everything is looking good" with the project.
• 2026 Reset: The team is banking on the comprehensive 2026 regulations reset to level the playing field, making the quality of the power unit and chassis integration more critical than ever.
• Benchmark Expectations: Mercedes is widely expected to produce one of the strongest power units on the grid, providing Alpine with a solid foundation to build upon.

What's next:

While optimism is high within the team, the true test will come when the cars hit the track for pre-season testing. Alpine's primary goal will be to secure a solid foothold back in the midfield, a significant step up from its 2025 performance. If the Enstone chassis can effectively harness the Mercedes power, Alpine could surprise many and re-establish itself as a regular points contender.