Pierre Gasly has insisted the impending regulation overhaul arriving in Formula 1 in 2026 could provide him with a viable chance to win the championship with Alpine.
Alpine is among the group that is endeavouring to capitalise on the comprehensive changes to the technical rulebook to erode the existing gap to the leading quartet.
Flavio Briatore, the Enstone-based squad’s Executive Advisor, has vowed since his return last June that the team should aspire to begin the new era in title contention.
Gasly, whose F1 career has been spent mired in the midfield except for a harrowing 12-race stint with Red Bull, has expressed he harbours an intense interest in 2026.
The Frenchman believes the reset, which is touted to be among the biggest to have ever graced the sport, could even propel him into an immediate championship bid.
“I’m very interested because in 2026 I could be World Champion, so that’s obviously that’s something that I’m putting a lot of focus on,” Gasly told media including Motorsport Week at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.
Gasly urges Alpine to prioritise 2026
Gasly admitted that he has long implored Alpine to adopt an identical approach to guarantee the team maximises its prospects on the project with the greater upside.
“I’m fully dedicated and focused on ’25, but as a team we’re well aware that we know what’s on the table for this year and you know we know what’s on the table for ’26,” he said.
“The strategy has already been put in place for next year.
“But as I mentioned at the F1 launch, if it was down to me, I’ll just put all the guys and all the money towards next year because that’s where, you know, whether I finish eighth, ninth, sixth, seventh doesn’t really matter, but next year we can fight for wins and podiums.
“That’s something that’s really meaningful.”
Alpine’s impending Mercedes switch
Having been straddled with an underpowered Renault since the engine freeze in 2022, Alpine is set to receive an instant boost with a switch to Mercedes powertrains.
“In a works team, there’s no limit,” Gasly highlighted. “You can just set your own limits and develop and invest as much as you want.”
Verstappen told to consider Alpine option
The expectation within the paddock is that Mercedes is poised to possess the class-leading powertrain in 2026, triggering concerns about divergence across the grid.
With doubts arising concerning Max Verstappen’s prospects with Red Bull, erstwhile F1 race winner Ralf Schumacher has suggested Alpine as a potential destination.
When the German’s statement was put to him, Gasly reiterated that he has complete faith in the Anglo-French marque to bridge the margin to the current frontrunners.
“Well I’ve said next year I can be World Champion, so yeah I believe Alpine has got what it takes to fight at the front of the grid.”
READ MORE – Carlos Sainz contends Alpine had front-row pace in Bahrain with a Mercedes F1 engine
Discussion about this post