There has been no shortage of tough weekends for Alpine over the past few seasons, and Pierre Gasly knows that better than most. Since joining the Enstone-based team in 2023, the Frenchman has watched his team slide back the grid far more often than anyone would have hoped. However, as F1 edges closer to its huge 2026 reset, Gasly is moving ahead with confidence that has caught the attention of many in the paddock.
According to Gasly, the pain of recent years could finally be setting the stage for something much better.
2026 Feels Quite Different for Alpine
For Alpine, 2026 is not just about another regulation change but will be a complete shift in identity. For the first time in the team’s 49-year history, the cars will not be powered by an in-house engine, but instead, Alpine will run Mercedes power units.
Gasly believes it could be a turning point, “We know that we are clearly not at the level that we all want to be at, but we also know something big is coming for the coming season. We’re on a big low, but we’re hoping to bounce back to get as high as possible for 2026. I really believe in ourselves as a team, and I want to be the one to put us back on top.”
🚨| Pierre Gasly: ‘Something big is coming’ for Alpine in F1 2026:
— Pierre Gasly expressed optimism for Alpine’s future, predicting significant changes in 2026. Speaking to media, Gasly remarked:
“We know that we are clearly not at the level that we all want to be at. But we… pic.twitter.com/Ba05E3m6eH
— This is Formula 1 (@ThisIsFormu1a1) January 19, 2026
The decision to switch to Mercedes engines comes after a brutal 2025 campaign, in which the French manufacturer found itself stuck at the back of the grid, far off the pace of its rivals. That struggle forced the team into an early call to shift resources away from the current car and focus heavily on the 2026 regulations.
It was a hard pill to swallow especially for a driver in his prime but Gasly backed the call, knowing that short-term pain might bring long-term rewards.
Mercedes’ reputation also plays a role in the optimism, as historically, the German manufacturer has been strong when new engine rules are introduced. Hearing the 2026 Mercedes power unit fire up for the first time only added to the sense that Alpine could finally be heading in the right direction.
Pierre Gasly’s Personal Fight To Keep Belief Alive
Gasly is no stranger to adversity in F1, and now, preparing for his 10th season in the sport and his fourth with the French outfit, he has experienced everything from race wins to sudden demotions. That experience has shaped how he approaches tough periods like the one Alpine has endured throughout the last few seasons.
“I really believe in ourselves as a team, and I want to be the one to put us back on top,” Gasly admitted. “I need to make sure that the 100 guys that work at the track and also the 1,500 people that are back at the factory, are all motivated and know that we are in a position to fight for the front of the grid.”
Gasly also mentioned how the negativity surrounding poor results affected his family, “I think what was more difficult for me was to see the people I care about, that made huge sacrifices to get me to where I am today, being affected by this negativity that I was surrounded with.”
“At the end of the day, that’s just the life of an athlete and stuff I have to accept, but I was more bothered that it would affect my parents and my brothers, which wasn’t fair,” the Frenchman added.
Despite all the struggles, Alpine has shown flashes of promise during Gasly’s time with the team. Since arriving in 2023, he has scored two podiums and played a key role in helping Alpine finish sixth in the 2024 constructors’ standings. In September last year, he committed his long-term future to the team, signing an extension that keeps him at Alpine until the end of 2028.
Gasly clearly believes his team can rebound, and that belief is tied closely to 2026. The 2025 season was the lowest point yet, with Gasly scoring just 22 points, which made it his worst full-season tally in F1, even though he finished slightly higher in the drivers’ standings than in some previous years.
