The new era for the former Renault works team has started in impressive fashion. Alpine has collected valuable points during the opening phase of the 2026 Formula 1 season, confirming the high expectations that surrounded the team over the winter. The decision to abandon its in-house power unit project appears to have been the right one, and the Enstone-based outfit has established itself as the clear leader of the midfield after a strong start to the championship.
Last year, team principal Flavio Briatore outlined ambitious but realistic targets for the 2026 campaign. His objective was for Alpine to fight for sixth or seventh place in the Constructors’ Championship while firmly establishing itself as the strongest team outside Formula 1’s traditional front-runners. After five Grands Prix and three Sprint events, those expectations appear to have been well founded.
The A526 has positioned itself exactly where Briatore hoped it would: leading the midfield behind Formula 1’s four powerhouse teams — Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull.
Alpine’s 2025 sacrifices paved the way for a stronger 2026
The 2025 season was a difficult and often frustrating campaign for the Enstone squad. Apart from Pierre Gasly‘s remarkable fourth-place finish in Bahrain, there were few highlights throughout the year.
From around the midpoint of the season onward, development work on the car effectively came to a halt. The team’s resources, energy and focus were redirected toward the future rather than immediate results. Engineers, mechanics and drivers all accepted short-term compromises in order to maximize Alpine’s preparation for the new regulatory era.
Virtually every available resource was concentrated on the 2026 project. The foundations for future success were already in place. Alpine’s chassis department had long been considered one of the team’s strengths, and replacing the final Renault power unit on the grid with Mercedes power was ultimately a decisive move made at exactly the right time.
For Alpine, 2025 was designed as a transition year and a launch platform for the new regulations. That strategy has delivered the desired results. The Mercedes engine remains one of the strongest power units in Formula 1, while the new car features several interesting aerodynamic concepts combined with a solid and competitive chassis.
Finishing last in the Constructors’ Championship in 2025 represented a painful financial setback. However, it also provided a significant advantage under Formula 1’s aerodynamic testing regulations, allowing the team additional development hours compared to its rivals. Looking back, it appears that Alpine accepted those consequences as part of a carefully calculated long-term plan.
Following an encouraging start to the season, the next challenge will be introducing effective upgrade packages capable of maximizing the combination of Alpine’s chassis and aerodynamic platform with Mercedes power. This blend of British and French engineering expertise, coupled with German engine technology, could become the foundation for the team’s long-term ambition of challenging Formula 1’s elite.
Early signs of progress from both drivers
The 2025 car suffered from significant weaknesses in both power output and reliability. Despite those limitations, Pierre Gasly frequently managed to reach Q3 and accumulated around twenty championship points by the end of the season.
Jack Doohan, however, struggled to maximize the package during his brief spell with the team. When the Australian was replaced by Franco Colapinto after the seventh race of the season, Alpine’s performance was already beginning to decline. Even the Argentine was unable to score a single point throughout the remainder of the campaign.
At times, Alpine appeared to mirror Red Bull’s well-known issue of relying heavily on one driver, with Gasly carrying much of the team’s competitive burden.
The 2026 season tells a completely different story. Pierre Gasly has retained the speed and consistency that have characterized his recent campaigns, while the improved competitiveness of the car has provided an additional boost in confidence and motivation.
More importantly for Alpine, Franco Colapinto is also taking advantage of the stronger package. While his opening races were not spectacular, he has already scored points in three of the first six events. His most recent performance in Canada was particularly impressive, as he secured sixth place and outperformed his teammate throughout the weekend.
The signs are encouraging across the board. The car is competitive, both drivers are delivering solid performances, team morale is high and a new title sponsor is expected to join the project next season.
After years of inconsistency and restructuring, Alpine finally appears to be building genuine momentum. The journey toward Formula 1’s front-running teams remains a difficult challenge, but the Anglo-French outfit now looks better positioned than it has in years to begin climbing that mountain.
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