Alpine: No 'fundamental weakness' to hold team back in 2026
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As Formula 1 gears up for its next major regulation overhaul in 2026, Alpine's executive technical director David Sanchez has made it clear: the team will have no excuses not to perform.
With a new Mercedes customer engine deal and a renewed focus on preparation, Sanchez believes Alpine is well-positioned to capitalize on the opportunities offered by the sport's new era.
The French team has consistently strived for regular podium finishes and race wins over the past decade. However, the past nine seasons have yielded only nine top-three finishes, with Esteban Ocon's 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix victory being a lone bright spot.
Despite the shortfall, Alpine ended its 2024 campaign with significant momentum, the Enstone squad scoring an impressive 51 points in the final four rounds of the championship, highlighted by the team's surprise double podium in Brazil with Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly.
A New Chapter with Mercedes Power
The 2026 season will not only usher in new technical regulations but also mark a strategic shift for Alpine as it ends its in-house engine program at Viry-Châtillon and transitions to a Mercedes customer engine deal.
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Sanchez emphasized that this change leaves Alpine with no technical disadvantage compared to other teams.
"Now, whether you're a customer or works team, the engines have to perform the same," Sanchez explained. "So it's not anymore a matter of [if] the works team can get more out of the engine.
Alpine technical director David Sanchez (left) and team boss Oliver Oakes.
"Then, in terms of packaging and integration, all the engines [are] now very well packaged. And the way the aero regulations are, there are a few legality boxes which are deliberately big enough such that they won't favour one PU manufacturer more than another one.
"So I think now, in terms of what engine you have in the car, you can be a customer team and be very good."
Aiming High for 2026
When asked if 2026 would serve as a reality check for Alpine, Sanchez's response was succinct: "Yes."
However, he remains confident about the team's trajectory heading into the new era.
"When I look at how we are preparing ourselves for '26, I don't see any fundamental weakness which we would take into '26 and which would hold us back," he said.
"So I think, '26, we can intend to do a good job."
Strategic Development Amid Constraints
Under the current budget cap and aerodynamic testing restrictions, F1 teams must carefully balance resource allocation between upcoming seasons.
Development for the 2026 cars is already underway, and Sanchez revealed that Alpine has a clear strategy in place for managing this transition.
"You're never 100% sure it won't change depending on results," he admitted. "We hope that we are going to be able to stick to the strategy, so that we don't have any surprise."
Sanchez also acknowledged that the 2025 pecking order could shift based on how teams prioritize their 2026 development.
"I can think of one [team] that has been pushing for 2025," he added, without naming names.
A Clean Slate for Alpine
With no "fundamental weaknesses" identified and no engine-related disadvantages as a customer team, Alpine will enter the 2026 regulations reset with optimism.
While Alpine has faced its share of challenges over the years, the upcoming rule changes and new engine deal offer a fresh opportunity to deliver on its long-standing promise of becoming a regular contender for podiums and wins.
According to Sanchez, the team's readiness to meet this challenge will leave them with "no excuses" in the new era.
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