After a dismal performance in the previous Formula 1 season, the Alpine team is now fully committed to a dramatic turnaround for the 2026 championship. Having finished at the bottom of the standings, a stark contrast to their earlier success, the team has strategically pivoted its entire development focus towards the upcoming season. This shift includes a significant change in their power unit strategy, aiming to leverage new partnerships and internal strengths to climb back to competitiveness and prove that their recent struggles were merely a temporary setback.
The 2025 season was particularly challenging for Alpine, whose A525 chassis failed to deliver the expected results. This was largely attributed to a poor start in 2024, characterized by an underdeveloped and overweight car. Despite gradual improvements throughout the year, the initial deficit was too substantial to overcome, leading to their worst finish in decades. Recognizing this, Alpine made the crucial decision to halt further development on the 2025 car early on, redirecting all resources and engineering efforts towards the 2026 regulations and the creation of their new vehicle.
A pivotal decision in Alpine's recovery strategy is the termination of its engine manufacturing program, a legacy that dates back four decades with Renault, and instead, becoming a customer of Mercedes for their power units. This move, championed by Executive Advisor Flavio Briatore, marks a significant departure from their historical independence but is seen as a pragmatic step to enhance performance and reliability. Briatore, a figure with a storied past of success with the team under its Benetton and Renault guises, is confident that this strategic alliance will eliminate long-standing competitive question marks and provide a robust benchmark against other top teams using Mercedes power.
Briatore's optimism is palpable, stating, "We believe we are competitive... Our technical people have done a super job. Alpine is really coming back with performance this year." He emphasizes that with a new car, a stable driver lineup, and sufficient budget and technical support, there will be no excuses for underperformance. The team's last-place finish in 2025, paradoxically, grants them an advantage in wind tunnel and CFD time for the initial half of 2026, a critical factor under Formula 1's sliding scale regulations.
The driver lineup remains consistent, with Pierre Gasly committing his future to the team through 2028 and Franco Colapinto continuing after his partial 2025 campaign. Gasly acknowledges the challenges but sees a "big opportunity" for both himself and the team, highlighting the team's strengthened cohesion and enhanced preparation over the winter. Colapinto, despite facing criticism in 2025, expresses excitement for his first full off-season preparation, aiming to learn and grow with the team to achieve competitive results.
The team's managing director, Steve Nielsen, who has returned for his third tenure, echoes the collective resolve. He underscores the commitment of the entire group to elevate Alpine to a higher standing, viewing the previous year's struggles as a temporary deviation rather than a long-term trend. The strategic decisions made, particularly the shift to Mercedes power and the intensified development focus, underscore a determined effort to reclaim a prominent position on the Formula 1 grid and re-establish Alpine as a formidable competitor.