Pierre Gasly is done with the midfield. Despite Alpine finishing the 2025 season at the bottom of the standings, the Frenchman says he has never been more certain about his future at the front of the grid.
In an exclusive sit-down with F1.com, Gasly revealed why a disastrous 2025 was actually a calculated move—and why the competition should be worried.
The 2026 Gamble
Gasly admits he was the first to tell Alpine to “forget about 2025.” The team intentionally stopped developing their current car early to pour every resource into the 2026 regulation overhaul. “It’s been painful,” Gasly admitted, “but we do it to be right at the top, not for sixth or seventh.”
The “Mercedes” X-Factor
The biggest reason for Gasly’s grin? Mercedes Power. With Alpine shutting down its own engine program to become a Mercedes customer in 2026, Gasly is eager to finally have championship-winning “Merc horsepower” on his back. Combined with the leadership of Flavio Briatore, the team is shifting toward a “perfection or nothing” culture.
A Personal Mission
Watching peers like Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc fight for titles has only added fuel to Gasly’s fire. After rebuilding his career following a brief, difficult stint at Red Bull, he feels he has finally found the stability he needs.
“I’ve been through the rough part of the journey,” Gasly said. “I see these guys getting their time to shine… I’m definitely more than ready for mine.”
The Alpine Reset:
- Strategic Sacrifice: Written-off 2025 for a head start on 2026.
- New Muscle: Transitioning to Mercedes power units.
- Leadership: A revamped management team focused on a “winner’s mentality.”
Do you think Gasly’s “2026 gamble” will pay off, or is he in for another tough season? Let us know below!
F1 Stats Last Updated: March 29, 2026 | All statistics, lap times, and driver comparisons on this page reflect the most current data available from the official F1 sources. And updated till the last race which happened in 29th March 2026