The Alpine driver made full use of the unexpected break in the Formula 1 calendar, combining time with family and friends with following his favourite football club Paris Saint-Germain, including trips during key Champions League moments.
Alpine chasing points in Florida
Pierre Gasly has scored 54 of Alpine’s last 55 points, and arrives in Miami hoping to continue the strong momentum built in Japan, where he managed to stay ahead of Max Verstappen’s Red Bull in a strong midfield performance.
The French driver used the break to recharge, spending valuable time away from the constant travel of a normal F1 season and reconnecting with family and friends.
“I’m really excited to be back racing,” said Pierre Gasly. “It feels like a long time since Japan and now I’m ready to get back in the car, compete, and hopefully pick up where we left off in Suzuka in terms of competitiveness.”
“It’s been quite refreshing to spend some time in one place without the stress of travelling so much. I’ve been able to spend time with family and friends, which is something we don’t often get during a normal season.”
“I even had the chance to go and watch some football, which is a passion of mine, with a trip to Paris for the Champions League and a visit to Liverpool to see Anfield for the first time.”
“Now my focus is back on racing and doing the best possible job in Miami. It will be really interesting to see what upgrades everyone brings. We obviously want to continue from where we finished in Japan, which means fighting for Q3 and points.”
“I know the team in Enstone has worked extremely hard to bring performance to the car, and I’m looking forward to getting back in the A526 this weekend. Being a Sprint weekend, it’s crucial to make the most of the first practice session and execute every session perfectly afterwards. Ultimately, we want points, and that is our goal.”
Colapinto boosted after Buenos Aires showcase
Franco Colapinto arrives in Miami full of confidence after the huge crowd reaction he received during the Red Bull Showrun event in Buenos Aires.
“After the break following Suzuka, it’s really nice to be preparing for another race week, especially in a unique place like Miami,” said Colapinto.
“As a team, we did valuable work in the simulator during the break, had a very productive filming day at Silverstone with the A526, and of course the incredible Road Show in Buenos Aires. I still can’t believe how special it was to drive a Formula 1 car at home. The fans were amazing and doing it for them was something truly special.”
“But now my focus is fully on Miami and the Sprint weekend ahead. On Friday we have a longer FP1 session which will be very important to understand the car before heading into Sprint Qualifying in the afternoon and the rest of the weekend.”
“I’ve never raced in Miami, so that session is very important for me to learn the track before getting into Sprint Qualifying and the rest of the weekend. I’m excited for the challenge and to be back racing. Our goal, as always, is to do the best possible job and try to kick-start the season with another points finish.”
In summary, the Alpine duo heads into the Miami Grand Prix with a clear strategic focus: capitalizing on the extended Friday practice to master the A526’s latest upgrades. Pierre Gasly’s rejuvenated energy from his footballing sabbatical, combined with Franco Colapinto’s soaring confidence from his Argentine homecoming, provides the Enstone-based squad with a potent mix of experience and momentum. As they face the unique heat and humidity of Florida, the objective remains firm—solidifying their place in the top ten and proving that their Suzuka form was no fluke in the highly competitive 2026 landscape.
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