Pierre Gasly has issued a warning to Racing Bulls after accusing the team of “destroying” Alpine’s Dutch Grand Prix through an extreme but legal defensive strategy involving Arvid Lindblad. With only three points now separating the two teams in the fight for fifth place in the 2026 Formula 1 Constructors’ Championship, Gasly made clear that he intends to remember what happened at Zandvoort.
The Alpine driver was frustrated by the way Racing Bulls approached the race, but Arvid Lindblad was unapologetic. The young driver insisted he had simply done his job and was pleased that his actions had helped his team protect its narrow championship advantage.
Racing Bulls and Alpine separated by just three points
One of the closest battles among the many storylines of the 2026 Formula 1 season is taking place in the midfield, where Racing Bulls and Alpine are fighting over fifth place in the Constructors’ Championship.
Racing Bulls currently holds the advantage with 66 points to Alpine’s 63. The French team managed to reduce the deficit in the Netherlands, but potentially had an opportunity to move ahead entirely before being frustrated by Racing Bulls’ defensive tactics.
Those tactics were particularly evident through Arvid Lindblad, whose approach was extremely obstructive but remained within the rules.
Pierre Gasly says Racing Bulls ‘destroyed’ Alpine’s race
Gasly was not prepared to forget what happened during the Dutch Grand Prix and openly suggested that the favour could eventually be returned as the two teams continue their championship fight.
“Racing Bulls destroyed our race,” Pierre Gasly said. “But I have a good memory. I’ll make sure I’m the one laughing at the end of the year.”
The remark illustrates how intense the battle for fifth has become. With only three points separating Racing Bulls and Alpine, tactics that might otherwise appear insignificant can have a direct impact on the final Constructors’ Championship positions.
For Alpine, the frustration came from knowing that it had already made progress towards its rival over the Zandvoort weekend and potentially had an opportunity to complete the overtake in the standings.
Arvid Lindblad has no regrets over Racing Bulls team tactics
Lindblad was not particularly troubled when Gasly’s comments were put to him. From his perspective, his priority was simply to do everything possible to help Racing Bulls.
“He has a good memory? Good for him,” Arvid Lindblad replied. “I just raced my race and I’m happy to have helped the team.”
His response underlines the contrasting views inside the two camps. Gasly saw Racing Bulls’ approach as an extreme form of obstruction that severely compromised Alpine’s Grand Prix, while Lindblad viewed it as legitimate teamwork in a direct championship battle.
Alpine-Racing Bulls fight set to intensify after Zandvoort
Neither side appears willing to concede anything as the second half of the season develops. Racing Bulls remains fifth on 66 points, but Alpine has closed to within three, making every scoring opportunity increasingly important.
Zandvoort demonstrated just how far both teams may be willing to go within the regulations to protect their positions. Racing Bulls succeeded in making Alpine’s race significantly more difficult, and Lindblad was satisfied that he had contributed to the team’s cause.
Gasly, meanwhile, has made it clear that the incident will not simply be forgotten. With the championship battle likely to continue over the remaining Grands Prix, the Frenchman intends to make sure that by the end of the season it is Alpine, rather than Racing Bulls, that has the final reason to smile.
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