Alpine is eyeing the resumption of the 2026 Formula 1 season with this weekend’s Dutch GP. Pierre Gasly recalls the podium he achieved in 2023, and Franco Colapinto hopes to make a turnaround after disappointing early stages.
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Three years ago, the Frenchman crossed the finish line in third position, his first top-3 defending the French team. Now, after a period of rest, he said he is ready for the next 12 races until the end of the year. “I have great memories of Zandvoort, as it was there that I achieved my first podium with the team in 2023,” he said.
“That was, without a doubt, a memorable day, where we had to make the right decisions throughout the race; I had to stay calm behind the wheel amid such varied conditions. It’s good to get back to race week after a few weeks off. It’s always a very good time of year when we can reflect and spend precious time with family and friends,” he continued.
“I spent some time at home, relaxing a lot, walking the dog, running on the beach, training at the gym, and enjoying the pool. Now I’m ready to start this next phase of the season. We have a big task ahead, as the championship fight is very tight, and we know that if we manage to implement upgrades, we can really stay in the fight with our rivals. It will be a big challenge, and I’m ready for it, starting with the Sprint in Zandvoort,” he added.
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Meanwhile, the Argentine teammate, after a tougher first half, highlights the long road ahead until the end of the season and is excited for the Sprint in Zandvoort. “I’m very excited to get back to racing after a more than necessary summer break. I started my vacation a little later than others because I was finishing the Pirelli tire test in Hungary, but then I was able to truly relax and recharge after a very intense first half of the season,” he said.
“We ended a bit disappointed, something I was able to reflect on, but it shows how much we have evolved as a team compared to where we were last year. Being now in the fight for fifth place in the Constructors’ Championship is really impressive; we all want to do a great job and secure a good result for the team. There is still a long way to go, so we need to start off on the right foot in Zandvoort this weekend,” he continued.
“It’s a circuit I really like and remember well from my junior categories. It will be interesting to see what a weekend with a Sprint is like; we need to start well on Friday morning to find the rhythm and push to the limit from the start, aiming to return to the top 10,” he concluded.
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