Pierre Gasly does not mince words about the situation at Alpine. After another disappointment in Hungary, the Frenchman faces a tough second half of the season. The team will soon be reinforced by Steve Nielsen, but for now, the focus in Enstone is primarily on the 2026 car. Gasly acknowledges that the significant changes behind the scenes will only take effect next year and that this season is essentially lost.
“The reality is that the car has remained unchanged since Barcelona and will remain so until the end of the year,” Gasly sighed to the media in Hungary. “You have to be objective and realistic about what is achievable. Steve Nielsen arrives in September, and I think his influence will mainly be visible in 2026 and beyond. To be honest, he should also just focus on next year. We know how much work is needed towards 2026.”
‘Confidence in 2026’
Yet Gasly maintains confidence in the team’s future, even though he considers this year a loss. “We are satisfied with the steps we are taking and the evolution of the team,” he said hopefully. “I believe in Alpine and in the fact that they can give me a competitive car next year. The reality is that this season is what it is, and it will be extremely difficult to change our current position.”
According to the 28-year-old driver, the problem lies not with the people’s efforts, but with the car itself. “That doesn’t mean we’re doing a bad job on the track or in the factory,” he emphasized. “We just haven’t managed to build a competitive car, in a season where the midfield is incredibly close together.”
