GASLY AND ALPINE OPEN 2026 WITH A STATEMENT OF INTENT
MAR 30, 2026
Three races into the 2026 Formula 1 season, Pierre Gasly has already rewritten a chapter of his own career. Points in Australia, China, and Japan — the first time the French driver has opened a season with three consecutive scoring finishes. It is a quiet but meaningful milestone, and one that speaks to a broader shift at Alpine.
The Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka was the clearest illustration of where the team now stands. Gasly qualified seventh and held that position through a demanding race, fending off sustained pressure from Max Verstappen across the final 28 laps. The result placed him as the lead finisher of the midfield, crossing the line just seven seconds behind Lewis Hamilton in sixth — a margin that would have been unimaginable for this team a year ago.
The contrast with 2025 is stark. Alpine finished that season at the bottom of the Constructors' Championship, without the pace or consistency to compete in the points on a regular basis. The arrival of a Mercedes power unit and a heavily revised car have changed the equation. The A526 has shown versatility across three very different circuits, which is perhaps the most encouraging sign of all.
The midfield battle shaping up this season is a tight one. Alpine, Haas, and Red Bull are separated by points rather than positions, and the gaps are narrow enough to shift with each passing race weekend. For Gasly and his team, the priority is clear: maintain momentum, extract more from the package, and continue closing the gap to the front.
The season is still young, but the foundation is there. What Alpine builds on it from here will define their 2026.