Alpine finished the first half of the season with their worst result, crossing the line in 18th and 19th at the Hungaroring.
Although Pierre Gasly has enjoyed a few solid results, the Frenchman’s machinery in 2025 has overall been underwhelming.
With no more upgrades scheduled for this season, Alpine’s drivers must brace themselves for a tough few months. Gasly is aware of the team’s situation, and is already looking ahead to the 2026 regulations.
Gasly pessimistic for final 10 rounds of the season
At the beginning of the year, Pierre Gasly left no doubts about how he thought Alpine should prioritise its resources.
The Grand Prix winner insisted that prioritising the 2026 cars should be the team’s priority – even at the expense of 2025.
Like most teams, Alpine are now directing all of their resources to development for the new set of regulations.
Unlike virtually every other team, however, the Enstone-based operation find themselves increasingly struggling to score points.
Sauber and Aston Martin’s resurgence has been significant, with mid-season upgrades putting both squads to the front of the midfield.
With VCARB ever-consistent and Haas very fast under the right conditions, Alpine continue to fall down the pecking order.
For all the attention surrounding Alpine in the aftermath of their mid-season swap, Flavio Briatore’s team are becoming relatively anonymous.
Pierre Gasly gave an honest assessment of the situation after the Hungarian GP:
“I’m here to race, not to just go around and let people go by – it is what it is.
“I just want to work with the team for next year, I know what we have to fight for this season.
“I know this year is going to be painful, and I don’t want to get into that frustration of not having the races we would like.
“We just try, try to focus on my driving, put in the best work I can for the team – fought hard every single weekend.
“This season is not going to be easy until the end of the year. But just want to work for next year.”
Alpine under pressure to deliver
Every team, not just Alpine, have big expectations to fulfil when the 2026 season begins.
The new aerodynamic and engine regulations of next year present a huge opportunity for teams to climb the pecking order.
Critically, Alpine decided to abandon their own Renault engines and become a Mercedes customer team. This controversial move, there they essentially surrendered their manufacturer status, adds another element to their 2026 development.
With midfield teams like Aston Martin, Williams and even Sauber growing in ambition, Formula 1 is more competitive than it has ever been.
To some extent, Alpine could benefit from having Mercedes engines next year. After all, the consensus is that the Brackley squad will deliver the best power units in 2026.
However, assuming this is true, Alpine will have the same engines as McLaren, Williams and – of course – Mercedes themselves. Outperforming these teams and producing a better aerodynamic concept will not be easy.
There is also the possibility for another manufacturer, such as Honda, to take F1 by storm next season.
Should this be the case, Alpine might regret abandoning the Renault power unit – which would have put their destiny completely in their hands.
Regardless, both Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto must come to terms with their machinery until the end of 2025.
Main photo: Simon Galloway/LAT Images (Alpine media gallery)
