Alpine\u2019s Pierre Gasly has backed himself to be one of the drivers to \u201cput the most work in\u201d over the winter break in the hopes of a dramatic improvement.<\/p>\n
The French team was the undoubted disappointment of the year as they finished at least 48 points behind every other team but their early switch of focus to next year may reap rewards in 2026.<\/p>\n
Pierre Gasly looks ahead to F1 2026 season<\/p>\n
While it is a big year for every team, it is even more so for Alpine as they switch to Mercedes engines for the first time in the constructor\u2019s existence.<\/p>\n
That, coupled with the team\u2019s early dropping of 2025 upgrades in favour of 2026, means there is at least some optimism the team can return to the top end of the Constructors\u2019 table.<\/p>\n
As for Gasly, he said no driver would be putting more work in than him over the winter break to ensure he has the best chance of competing higher up the grid.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can be sure I\u2019m going to be one of the drivers that\u2019s going to make sure and put the most work in,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know it\u2019s a big opportunity for the team, for myself. After the season I\u2019ve had, I\u2019m more eager than ever to bounce back next season.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think I know what\u2019s coming. I know the whole team has worked extremely hard this year, you know, making all these sacrifices for the benefits we can have for next year, and I\u2019ll be as prepared as a driver can be.\u201d<\/p>\n
More on 2026 from PlanetF1.com But while there is no doubting Gasly\u2019s commitment, the improvements will largely be out of his hands with the team\u2019s engineers and designers given a chance to earn their money.<\/p>\n Gasly\u2019s faith in that team was evident when he signed a new deal back in September, reaffirming his belief that they will turn it around.<\/p>\n \u201cI know it\u2019s difficult for people to understand [staying at Alpine] because when you see the performance right now, we\u2019re struggling but as I say, we get to the bottom of these reasons, we know why,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe know the strategic reasons we\u2019ve made this year, which are costly for the performance of this year, but I think from next year onwards, I fully believe the team will be able to give me a car to compete at the front and actually achieve what I came in the team for.<\/p>\n \u201cThe situation we are in 1766850734 actually gives us some advantages next year in terms of wind tunnel etc. I think we should be in a good place. A lot of reasons to believe that the team will be able to give me the car that I want.\u201d<\/p>\n
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