Pierre Gasly Pledges to 'Put the Most Work In' for Alpine's 2026 Revival
Following a dismal 2025, Alpine's Pierre Gasly is vowing to 'put the most work in' over the winter to prepare for the team's critical 2026 revival with new Mercedes power units.
Alpine’s Pierre Gasly is vowing to be the driver who “puts the most work in” over the winter break, aiming to spearhead a major comeback for the team in 2026. After a dismal 2025 season where Alpine finished last, the French driver is banking on an early switch in focus to the new regulations and a crucial move to Mercedes power units to propel them back up the grid.
Why it matters:
For Alpine, 2026 isn't just another season; it's a make-or-break reset. The team’s early abandonment of its 2025 car to focus on the future was a costly but necessary gamble, and Gasly’s public commitment signals a unified belief in this long-term strategy. A successful revival would not only validate the team’s painful 2025 but also shake up the competitive order at the front of the grid.
The details:
- A New Era: 2026 marks Alpine's first-ever season with Mercedes power units, a significant shift from its struggling in-house engine program that has hampered performance for years.
- Driver's Commitment: Gasly stated, “I’m going to be one of the drivers that’s going to make sure and put the most work in... I’m more eager than ever to bounce back.” His dedication comes after a season where he was often overperforming a deeply uncompetitive car.
- Strategic Sacrifice: The team stopped developing its 2025 car early, a decision that hurt its performance this year but is intended to provide a major head start for the new chassis and power unit integration.
- Competitive Edge: This early focus has reportedly given Alpine advantages in key areas like wind tunnel allocation, potentially allowing them to hit the ground running when pre-season testing begins for the new season.
What's next:
The pressure is now on Alpine's technical team to deliver a car that can match Gasly's ambition. His renewed contract, signed in September amidst the team's struggles, is a clear vote of confidence in their project. If the team can translate its strategic advantages and off-season effort into on-track pace, Alpine could be one of the surprise packages of 2026, finally giving Gasly the machinery to compete for podiums and wins.