Amidst all the controversy surrounding Alpine’s driver changes, Pierre Gasly continues to deliver consistently for the team.
Gasly has been one of the few sources of stability at Enstone since joining in 2023 – and that could continue for the foreseeable future.
Under the leadership of Flavio Briatore, Alpine can be expected to persist with their cut-throat driver approach. Colapinto only being guaranteed a seat for the next five races is quite clear evidence of this.
Whilst focus on Alpine’s drivers will undoubtedly continue, Pierre Gasly retains ambitious goals for 2026.
Gasly emphasises 2026 opportunity
After being demoted from Red Bull halfway through the 2019 season, Pierre Gasly found some stability for his F1 career at Alpine.
The French outfit have valued his services highly over the last few years.
Alpine’s reaction to the incident between Gasly and Ocon in Monaco last year is evidence enough of his position in the hierarchy.
Though nothing can be ruled out, the Grand Prix winner should continue with the team in 2026.
Assuming there are no surprises on this front, Gasly will be entrusted with leading the team into the new regulations.
Next year will be Alpine’s first with Mercedes engines, representing a pivotal shift in their approach and model.
Speaking to the media earlier this year, the 29-year-old made no secret of where he thinks the team’s resources should be directed:
“That’s something I’m putting a lot of focus on [the 2026 regulations].
“Obviously, I’m fully dedicated and focused on 2025.
“But as a team, we know what’s on the table this year.
“We know what’s on the table for ’26, so the strategy has already been put in place for next year.
“As I mentioned at the F1 launch – if it were down to me, I would just put all the guys and all the money towards next year.
“Whether I finish 8th, 9th, 6th, 7th, it doesn’t really matter.
“But if next year we can fight for wins and podiums, that’s really meaningful.”
No guarantees at Alpine
The F1 world is often unforgiving, but the environment at Alpine is particularly ruthless – and not just for drivers.
A significant number of team principals and other senior personnel have come and gone at Enstone in recent years.
What seems unlikely to change, however, is Flavio Briatore’s leadership – with Renault CEO Luca de Meo entrusting the Italian with the F1 team’s direction.
Briatore’s willingness to implement changes since joining Alpine is evidence of his aspirations for the next few years.
The 74-year-old wants the team to win races in 2026, targeting a Championship fight in 2027.
Meeting such targets will require Alpine to to outperform other Mercedes-powered teams, including McLaren and Mercedes themselves, whilst also getting the better of other heavy-hitters – such as Honda.
Based on the results Enstone have produced, making this leap seems unlikely.
Transitioning from Renault to Mercedes engines, whilst perhaps the correct move from a pragmatic perspective, represents the team’s reluctance to make the necessary investment for F1 success.
Unless Alpine make investments to improve their facilities and attract the best engineering talent, no number of driver swaps will change their fortunes.
Pierre Gasly will hope that Briatore’s new approach, however radical, can push the team to new heights in 2026 and beyond.
Main photo: Steven Tee/LAT Images
