Pierre Gasly has made it clear where his focus lies regarding Alpine’s future and the role of the incoming Managing Director, Steve Nielsen. The French Formula 1 driver emphasized that Nielsen’s arrival will be crucial for the team’s medium- and long-term development rather than immediate results. Steve Nielsen, the experienced British motorsport executive, is set to join Alpine on September 1, bringing with him a wealth of experience. He returns to Enstone, where he has previously contributed to the team during its previous iterations as Benetton, Renault, and Lotus. Nielsen’s extensive resume also includes high-level roles with Tyrrell, Honda, Toro Rosso, and Arrows, along with a senior appointment at the FIA, and most recently, he served as Chief Motorsports Operations Officer in Formula 1.
Alpine has endured a challenging 2025 season, sitting at the bottom of the Constructors’ Championship with only 20 points. The team even relied temporarily on Flavio Briatore, in his capacity as Executive Advisor, to fill the gap left by the departure of Oliver Oakes in May. Despite the difficult season, Gasly is realistic and does not expect immediate miracles, keeping his eyes firmly on the next year.
“The reality is that the car we have is the same one from Barcelona, and it will remain unchanged until the end of the year,” explained Gasly during the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend. “We have to be objective and realistic about what we can achieve. Steve will arrive in September, and his impact will be most visible in 2026 and beyond. Honestly, his focus needs to be on next year. We are satisfied with the work we are doing and the car’s evolution. I am confident that the team will be able to provide me with a competitive car in the upcoming season.”
2026: A challenge beyond the racetrack
Gasly also acknowledged that the remainder of the 2025 season will be particularly tough. “This is the car we have, and it will be extremely difficult to improve our positions in the standings. That does not mean we are not doing a good job, but the technical decisions we made with 2026 in mind have prevented us from achieving enough performance to fight for higher positions. Whether you finish eighth, ninth, or tenth, it doesn’t change much in the bigger picture. But if those choices give us a car capable of fighting for wins, podiums, or consistent top-five finishes next year, I will always prioritize that,” he added.
In summary, for Pierre Gasly, Alpine’s priority is already defined: sacrifice the present, even if it means accepting lower positions in the 2025 championship, in order to maximize opportunities such as additional wind tunnel hours awarded to teams further down the grid. The ultimate goal is to build a competitive future in which Alpine (formerly Renault) can reestablish itself as a leading force in Formula 1. This is particularly significant given that direct competition with automotive giants such as Ford and Audi in 2026 could also have wider implications for the team’s standing and reputation within the broader automotive industry.
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