Alpine’s 2025 Formula 1 Season: A Mixed Bag

Alpine faced a dismal 2025 Formula 1 season on the track, but a fair evaluation of its shortcomings may only be possible in the upcoming year. There’s a possibility—though the team’s unreliable recent history raises skepticism—that 2025 could eventually be viewed as a success when considered in a broader context.

Focusing on Long-Term Goals

Finding silver linings in defeat is a common sports narrative, often perceived as insincere. However, Alpine may benefit significantly from the challenges of a frustrating season in which it finished last in the constructors’ championship, accruing just 22 points. The team made a substantial commitment to developing its 2026 car, potentially positioning itself for a rebound.

Reflecting on 2024

To grasp the full scope of the team’s struggles, it’s essential to revisit 2024. The launch vehicle that year was a failure, with Alpine only managing to salvage a sixth-place finish in the constructors’ championship thanks to a remarkable double podium in Brazil during the latter half of the season.

Development Strategy

A critical question arose regarding how much Alpine would strive to improve its car for 2025, given that the 2026 project was already in full swing. The decision was made to undertake extensive aerodynamic enhancements with the launch vehicle, even though modifications to the mechanical aspects were limited due to the need to retain the monocoque and front suspension.

Performance Evaluation

The Alpine A525 showed promise during Bahrain testing, incorrectly suggesting it could be a midfield leader. While Pierre Gasly’s performance—qualifying fifth and finishing seventh—indicated the car was fast, the track conditions merely masked its deficiencies, especially on slower circuits and with a lackluster Renault power unit.

Reassessing Expectations

The decision to focus on the 2026 project meant that resolving the 2025 car’s issues was deprioritized. By January, all development for the 2025 car had halted, emphasizing the goal of preventing similar shortcomings in the 2026 design. While the overall grid became more competitive than expected, Alpine had to recalibrate its ambitions to face the reality of finishing last after struggling through the season.

Looking Ahead to 2026

Despite the difficulties encountered in 2025, both Alpine and its new managing director, Steve Nielsen, believe that the team’s early commitment to the 2026 car could pay off. As they navigate the development process through wind tunnel tests, the real challenge will be to see if this strategy allows Alpine to capitalize on its advantages and enhance its competitiveness for 2026.