Alpine, once considered one of the top contenders in Formula 1, slumped to last place in the championship in 2025. The team's poor start to the year, which included a lackluster and overweight car, set the tone for a dismal season.
Despite making improvements, Alpine was unable to overcome its deficits and faced a mountain to climb. However, with a new focus on 2026, the team is aiming to turn its short-term struggles into long-term success.
Alpine's Executive Advisor Flavio Briatore believes that the team is competitive and has been working well, with a brand-new car and the same drivers in place for 2026. The team's decision to switch off development and focus on 2026 was seen as a pragmatic call given its lack of performance compared to its competitors.
Alpine is now looking to capitalize on its advantage of having the greatest wind tunnel and CFD time, along with newcomers Cadillac, under Formula 1's sliding scale. With a new engine partner in Mercedes, Alpine hopes to eliminate any excuses and prove that last year was a blip.
The team has also made changes to its driver line-up, retaining Pierre Gasly for two more years and keeping Franco Colapinto on board after his disappointing 2025 campaign. As the team looks to bounce back from last year's struggles, they are excited about the opportunities ahead and are eager to learn and adapt to the new technical challenges that 2026 will bring.
With a strong focus on consistency and improvement, Alpine is looking to take its performance to the next level and prove itself as a top contender in Formula 1.
Alpine's struggles in 2025 were a wake-up call for the team, but with a new focus on 2026 and a strong technical package, they are well-positioned to make a comeback. The decision to switch off development and partner with Mercedes was a bold move, but it could pay off if Alpine can capitalize on its advantage in wind tunnel and CFD time.
