Alpine started the 2026 Formula 1 season on a strong upward trend and is already worrying direct rivals like Red Bull Racing (as incredible as it may seem) and Haas. Consistent performance in the first three races has put the French team in direct contention for important positions in the constructors’ championship.
Read more F1: Ricciardo admits feeling grateful for Racing Bulls dismissal
After a difficult 2025, Alpine now appears in fifth place in the championship, tied on points with Red Bull Racing and just two behind Haas. The performance leap is striking, especially due to the technical progress shown by the new A526.
Part of this evolution is linked to the adoption of the Mercedes power unit, cited as the most efficient on the grid. In addition, the new chassis has also shown significant progress, with good aerodynamic balance, competitiveness on fast laps and efficient tire management.
During pre-season testing in Bahrain, the car had already demonstrated competitiveness in different types of corners, as well as strong performance on the straights. This package reinforced expectations that the team could make a significant leap in 2026.
Despite this, the debut in Melbourne was not ideal, with both drivers eliminated in Q2. The team was still facing difficulties in fully understanding the operation of the new power unit’s software, an essential factor for the energy deployment strategy throughout the lap. Even so, Pierre Gasly managed to finish tenth, collecting important data for the car’s evolution.
In the following GP, in China, Alpine showed immediate progress. Gasly was seventh in Sprint qualifying, ahead of Max Verstappen, a sign that the team had unlocked more performance from the package. After finishing 11th in the Sprint race, the Frenchman started seventh again in Sunday’s GP.
Read more F1: Mercedes admits error that hampered Russell in Japan
In the race, the performance was even more encouraging. Gasly finished sixth after a strong start and good pace on a track demanding on tires. Franco Colapinto also scored points for the first time this season, with tenth place, even after a collision with Esteban Ocon at Turn 2.
The evolution continued at the Japanese GP, where the team introduced minor updates to the rear wing to improve straight-line efficiency. The changes included adjustments to the endplate and the straight-line mode actuator, a solution that helped reduce turbulence and improve airflow.
The impact was immediate. Gasly secured seventh on the grid, less than a tenth behind Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton, and maintained the position during the race, defending against Verstappen in the final 28 laps. After the race, the Frenchman highlighted the car’s consistent performance.
“It was really a perfect weekend, because seventh place in the qualifying session was the best we could achieve. In the race it was the same, the top 6 was out of reach. At the same time, we finished only seven seconds behind Lewis, which is very positive. I’m happy because the car seems to work on all types of tracks. This gives a lot of confidence,” said the French driver.
With the good start to the season, Alpine emerges as a strong candidate for fourth place in the championship. However, the team still needs to introduce updates in the coming races, especially to improve pace in long stints, an area where Haas has excelled.
Read more F1: Is there a race this weekend? Find out when the 2026 Miami GP is
