Despite being “realistic” in his 2026 hopes, Pierre Gasly is aiming to put Alpine “back on top” in Formula 1.
The Frenchman is gearing up for his 10th season on the F1 grid and fourth with Alpine, who finished bottom of the Constructors’ standings last year.
This year also marks 20 years since the Enstone-based team’s last F1 championship, as Fernando Alonso and Renault claimed a double crown.
But with a major regulatory overhaul and Alpine taking on Mercedes engines, Gasly is optimistic the only way is up.
“We know that we are clearly not at the level that we all want to be at,” he told Rolling Stone earlier this year, “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.”
Alpine unveiled its new A526 car on Friday after being spotted completing a shakedown at Silverstone a day earlier.
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And speaking at the launch event, Gasly kept his current expectations in check.
“This is the first time in my career where the entire car has had such significant changes,” he said.
“Of course, everyone heads into this unknown territory, but, as a driver, I find that so exciting.
“This has been a long road for the team to reach this point.
“We have been working hard on the simulator over the past year in preparation for these new regulations, and I know everyone at Enstone has worked extremely hard to develop the best possible package.
“What we see in the first few weeks of the year, beginning with the shakedown next week, will be interesting.
“But this is not the final product, as we will continue to learn and develop the entire package each time we’re on track.
“Of course, I am excited and optimistic, but very much realistic in my ambitions. Right now, my feeling is of immense pride that the team has reached all its milestones in preparing the A526.”
