Roughly a year ago, Alpine made the controversial move to abandon Renault engines in favour of Mercedes for 2026 and beyond.
The French squad determined that Renault’s power units were becoming a limiting factor to the team’s success. Despite having dedicated a few years to developing their 2026 engines, Alpine opted to relinquish their manufacturer status.
This decision was motivated by the belief Mercedes were the best option for the new regulations. Pierre Gasly’s recent comments have further validated this sentiment.
Pierre Gasly driving the (10) Alpine F1 A525 in Singapore. (Photo by Zak Mauger/LAT Images)
Gasly excited for Alpine’s Mercedes switch
Alpine are one of many Mercedes customer teams awaiting the FIA’s verdict on the German manufacturer’s controversial engine solution.
The Mercedes engine, long considered the favourite to lead the pack in 2026, is currently under immense scrutiny. Rival manufacturers are enquiring about the use of thermal expansion to increase compression ratio above the 16:0 limit when the car is on track.
Honda, Ferrari and Audi will argue that achieving a higher compression ratio is a direct violation of the regulations. Mercedes, for their part, will point towards the fact their engine is fully compliant under static tests at ambient temperatures.
In many ways, this controversy is a case study into the dangers of being a customer team.
Of course, Alpine could benefit from a potentially very strong Mercedes engine. At the same time, their fate is not entirely in their hands – having outsourced such an integral component.
Regardless, the belief at the factory in Enstone is that Mercedes power will pay off. Pierre Gasly shares this optimism, based on his own information:
“We open a new chapter with Mercedes, and obviously, looking at their CV, how many times they’ve been Champions – I’m sure it’s going to be a great adventure.
“I’m not going to lie, I’m very excited about it. From what I’m hearing, the [Mercedes] engine is in a great place.
“So I’m looking forward to that first test and feeling what it’s like to have Mercedes horsepower on my back. I have very high expectations for us as a team next year.
“We made tactical sacrifices on 2025 to reward all of us by starting on the right foot from 2026 onwards… Next year, I want to be fighting at the front of the grid.
“As it stands, I don’t see any reason why we shouldn’t be able to be right up there.”
Pierre Gasly driving the (10) Alpine F1 A525 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Sam Bloxham/LAT Images)
A new model for Team Enstone
It is unclear what the outcome of Mercedes and Red Bull’s engine trick will be. Should their solution be deemed within the bounds of the regulations, the next question is how rival manufacturers will respond.
Should they feel Mercedes and Red Bull are gaining an unfair advantage, an official protest could be lodged.
From the Alpine perspective, power units are only one part of the equation. Three other teams (McLaren, Williams and Mercedes themselves) will use the same engines in 2026.
Both McLaren and Mercedes have relatively recent title successes to their name, meaning they are expected to deliver a better aerodynamic package than Alpine.
Williams are also seen as a more dangerous threat for the new set of regulations. Rejuvenated under James Vowles, the Grove-based team have worked rigorously to get a head-start on 2026.
Even whilst essentially abandoning this year’s A525, Williams finished 5th in the standings – comfortably ahead of Alpine in last. This puts the pressure on Alpine’s technical team to surprise the field and vindicate their decision to relinquish autonomy over their own engines.
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Main photo: Alpine F1 Media Gallery