Alpine F1 Team Struggles in 2025 Season, Focus Shifts to 2026 Podiums
The 2025 Formula 1 season has proven to be a difficult one for Alpine, as the team consistently finds itself at the back of the grid. Recent races in Monza and Baku highlighted the team's struggles, with both Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto failing to make an impact. This marks a historic low for Alpine, which has not seen such consistently poor results in its 44-year history, excluding retirements.
Alpine's performance in the 2025 Formula 1 season has been particularly disheartening, with drivers Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto consistently finishing outside the top 15. The Italian Grand Prix saw them qualify 18th and 19th, while in Azerbaijan, they started 16th and 19th, respectively, after errors in their final flying laps. These results are a stark contrast to the team's past performances, signaling a significant downturn in their competitive standing. Gasly, acknowledging the team's predicament, has indicated that these struggles are likely to persist throughout the remainder of the year.
A primary factor contributing to Alpine's lack of competitiveness is a significant power deficit in their engine. Data from Monza revealed that Alpine's car was the slowest on the straights, with a top speed of 345.7 km/h in qualifying, significantly lower than other teams. While the speed-trap data from Baku showed some improvement, reaching fifth-fastest, this was largely attributed to a low-downforce setup, which compromised cornering performance. Colapinto also highlighted the car's unpredictable nature and instability, particularly in slow-speed corners, forcing drivers to take greater risks.
Despite the current challenges, Alpine's strategic focus has shifted decisively towards the 2026 season. New regulations and a planned switch to Mercedes engines are seen as a fresh opportunity for the team to regain competitiveness. Executive advisor Flavio Briatore emphasized this forward-looking approach, stating that substantial effort is being invested in developing the 2026 car. He openly admitted to the current season's performance being a consequence of prioritizing future development and expressed optimism for a significant turnaround, even targeting podium finishes in 2026.
The team's decision to forgo major upgrades for the current A525 car underscores its long-term vision. Since the Spanish Grand Prix, only minor, circuit-specific updates have been introduced, offering no lasting performance enhancements. This strategy, though detrimental to immediate results, is a calculated move to maximize resources under budget cap and aerodynamic testing restrictions for the upcoming regulatory changes. While Colapinto holds hope for point-scoring opportunities on certain tracks, the team's collective energy is channeled into preparing for a more competitive future.
Ultimately, Alpine's 2025 campaign is characterized by underperformance and a strategic pivot. While the present struggles are evident, the team remains committed to leveraging the impending regulatory changes and its new engine partnership to forge a path back to podium contention in the 2026 season. The commitment from drivers and leadership to this long-term vision is clear, even as they navigate the difficulties of the current season.