Among the many changes introduced for the 2026 Formula 1 season, one of the most significant has been Mercedes becoming the power unit supplier for the Anglo-French Alpine team. After an extremely difficult 2025 campaign filled with frustration and sacrifices made in pursuit of a brighter future, Alpine finally appears to be reaping the rewards of its long-term efforts.
The A526 has proven to be a highly competitive package. Chassis performance has traditionally been one of Alpine’s strengths, and the arrival of a powerful Mercedes engine has elevated the car’s overall performance to a completely different level. Within the Formula 1 paddock, Pierre Gasly has long been regarded as a driver of exceptional quality, but throughout much of his career he has rarely had machinery capable of consistently showcasing his full potential.
While the 2026 Alpine is not yet capable of challenging the sport’s four leading teams on a regular basis, it is undoubtedly one of the strongest cars in the midfield. Gasly’s performances this season have brought back memories of his outstanding 2021 campaign, when he consistently delivered impressive results behind the wheel of a highly competitive AlphaTauri.
Pierre Gasly’s 2026 season: the standings tell the story
At the Miami Grand Prix, the Alpine driver suffered a retirement after being caught up in an incident triggered by a mechanical failure on Liam Lawson’s car. Despite that setback and the resulting zero score, Gasly’s championship position speaks volumes about his performances so far.
The Frenchman currently sits seventh in the Drivers’ Championship, ahead of Isack Hadjar, having already collected more than 50 points. His Monaco podium finish — which initially appeared to be lost due to a penalty that was later overturned — stands as one of the highlights of his season and further reinforces the progress made by both driver and team.
Many expected Gasly to fight near the front of the midfield if provided with a genuinely competitive car, and that prediction has largely come true. The combination of confidence, experience and improved machinery has allowed him to deliver the kind of performances that once established him as one of Formula 1’s most highly rated talents.
Alpine’s aerodynamic package and chassis have been particularly impressive. Signs of that potential were already visible during the early stages of last season, when Gasly secured a remarkable fourth-place finish in Bahrain. The Enstone-based team has consistently demonstrated an ability to build strong racing cars; until this year, the main limitation had been the Renault power unit, which struggled to match rival manufacturers in both performance and reliability.
The arrival of Mercedes has brought a breath of fresh air throughout the organization. Confidence within the team has increased noticeably, and that renewed optimism is reflected in several areas, from faster pit-stop execution compared to 2025 to stronger performances from both drivers on track.
Seven races are not enough to deliver a definitive verdict on an entire season, but the opening phase of 2026 has already painted a clear picture. Pierre Gasly has the talent and consistency required to fight for meaningful positions in Formula 1, and finishing ahead of a Red Bull driver in the championship standings would represent a significant achievement.
The next crucial step will come through the development race. Future upgrades will be essential if Alpine hopes to maintain its place at the front of the midfield and continue challenging the teams immediately ahead.
An unexpected boost arrives from the ADUO system
One of the biggest surprises of the 2026 season has been the revelation that the Red Bull Ford power unit appears to possess the strongest internal combustion engine on the grid. Few expected such a scenario, but current data suggests that is indeed the case.
Mercedes, meanwhile, is reportedly within two percent of the benchmark established by the leading manufacturer. Under the ADUO framework, this means the Anglo-German power unit could become eligible for additional development opportunities aimed at reducing performance gaps between manufacturers.
For Alpine, that assessment represents a quiet but potentially significant victory. The reason is simple: Formula 1 regulations require all customer teams to receive the latest available specification from their engine supplier.
As a result, any future performance upgrades introduced by Mercedes would also become available to Alpine. That could provide Gasly with another valuable boost during the European phase of the season, a period where the French driver has often excelled throughout his career.
The situation is very different for Racing Bulls, one of Alpine’s main rivals in the midfield battle. Because Red Bull’s internal combustion engine has been classified as the strongest under the current assessments, the Faenza-based team would not benefit from additional performance concessions or development assistance under the ADUO mechanisms.
Pierre Gasly has already demonstrated throughout his career — most notably with his famous victory at Monza in 2020 and his outstanding 2021 season — that he possesses the qualities of a top-level Formula 1 driver. Alpine has clearly taken an important step forward in 2026, but the journey back toward regular victories and championship contention is only just beginning.
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