Alpine focuses on 2026 plans and gives Kush Maini first team run at Abu Dhabi. During the Abu Dhabi post-season tests, Alpine worked on 2026 Pirelli tires.

Abu Dhabi test: Alpine gathers data for 2026 and launches Kush Maini

The 2025 Formula 1 season concluded with the traditional post-season tests in Abu Dhabi, a valuable opportunity to gather data and already look ahead to the future. Alpine used the session to work on the Pirelli tires planned for 2026 and to give Kush Maini his first official experience with the team. It was an intense and meaningful day, featuring Pierre Gasly, the young Indian driver, and the entire technical department, all focused on laying the foundations for the next season.

Pierre Gasly and Kush Maini in action on track

Pierre Gasly commented on his day:

“Today concludes our on-track program for 2025. We completed many laps with the 2026 Pirelli tires, which was crucial and gives us material to analyze over the winter. It has been a long year for all of us, with some highs and perhaps too many lows, but that’s the way the game goes, and I know we’ll come back stronger in 2026. Now everyone is ready to take a bit of a break, myself included, but we still have a few weeks of work before the break, and the entire team is working hard in the factory preparing for next season. Thanks to every team member for their dedication and effort, especially during these particularly intense final weeks.”

Kush Maini highlighted the experience he was able to gain:

“What an incredible experience! First of all, thanks to the team for this opportunity and for all the work done to help me prepare and make it a particularly solid day. Everyone was fantastic, extremely professional, and today I learned a lot. I felt comfortable and could fully focus on the program, lap after lap. Everything went well with the car. It’s really well-designed and enjoyable to drive, so I felt good physically, even though I might have some soreness in the next few days. It was amazing to have Pierre by my side. He’s probably the best coach possible, so I thank him as well. It will take me a little time to fully process all of this, and I am simply extremely grateful for the opportunity.”

Team work and 2026 perspective

Dave Greenwood reflected on their work with an eye already on 2026:

“The end-of-season tests in Abu Dhabi marked our final on-track session of the year. Kush had a smooth day for his first full and official session with the team. He worked hard in advance with the engineers and provided excellent feedback. Congratulations to him for his enthusiasm and professionalism. Pierre drove the test car equipped with the Pirelli tires that will be used in 2026. This work is important, both for Pirelli and for us, as we are already looking ahead to next year.

“We now have valuable data for our winter preparation. This will help us when we return to the track in just over a month with the new car. Preparations for the 2026 car are well underway in the factory, and the two weeks remaining before the winter break promise to be intense as we take further steps forward. Congratulations to the entire team for the dedication shown over the past weeks on these various projects.”