Alpine's F1 2025 Struggles and 2026 Aspirations
Alpine has been experiencing a particularly challenging 2025 Formula 1 season, with their performance hitting a low point in recent Grand Prix events. The team's struggles stem from a combination of engine power deficit and car instability. Acknowledging that the current season is unlikely to see significant improvement, Alpine has made a strategic decision to channel its efforts and resources into the upcoming 2026 regulations, where they anticipate a competitive resurgence with a new engine supplier.
Alpine's Current Challenges and Future Outlook
In the recent Italian Grand Prix at Monza and the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku, Alpine drivers Franco Colapinto and Pierre Gasly faced considerable difficulties. At Monza, they qualified 18th and 19th respectively, finishing the race in 16th and 17th. In Baku, qualifying positions were 16th and 19th, with race finishes of 18th and 19th, the latter for Colapinto following an incident with Alex Albon. These results mark a historic low for the team, as it's the first time in 44 years they've finished two consecutive races with both cars outside the top 15, excluding DNFs. Pierre Gasly openly expressed his awareness of the team's ongoing struggles, stating that the remainder of the year would likely be difficult and that their current car, the A525, is not expected to change significantly.
A primary factor contributing to Alpine's underperformance is a noticeable lack of engine power. At Monza, the A525 was the slowest car on the straights during qualifying, reaching a top speed of 345.7 km/h, considerably lower than the leading Sauber at 355.9 km/h. During the race, Alpine's cars struggled to exceed 340.3 km/h, while the fastest car, a Williams, hit 364.1 km/h. Although speed trap data showed slight improvement in Baku, with Alpine being third fastest in qualifying and fifth fastest in the race, the power deficit remains a critical issue. Colapinto also highlighted a phenomenon known as 'clipping' on the Monza straights, where the car runs out of energy deployment before braking points, and described the car as unpredictable and difficult to drive, particularly in slow-speed corners.
Adding to their woes, Alpine has ceased bringing major upgrades to the A525 since the Spanish Grand Prix on June 1st. While minor, circuit-specific updates were introduced for the front wing in Montreal and the rear wing in Spa-Francorchamps, these did not provide lasting performance gains. A third upgrade at Zandvoort focused on rear brake-duct furniture for improved wheel wake management, but overall, the team has acknowledged that substantial progress this season is unlikely. This strategic shift is driven by the team's decision to concentrate its budget and aerodynamic testing resources on the new regulations for the 2026 season. Alpine will also transition to a Mercedes engine supplier in 2026, marking a significant change from their long-standing French-based powertrain division. Flavio Briatore, Alpine's executive advisor, emphasized this forward-looking approach, expressing hope for podium finishes in 2026. However, he also admitted that interpreting the new regulations is challenging and that the team might have erred by not continuously developing the current car.
This situation underscores the difficult balance Formula 1 teams face in allocating resources between current performance and future development, especially with major regulation changes on the horizon. Alpine's commitment to a long-term strategy, though painful in the short term, reflects a common approach in the sport where periods of struggle can be endured in anticipation of future success. The upcoming seasons will reveal whether this calculated gamble pays off for the team.