Alpine Climb to Fifth After Three Races, Gasly Scores in Every Event

The 2026 Formula 1 season has seen Alpine demonstrate a significant performance shift, indicating a strong start. Following a last-place finish in the previous season, the team's transition to Mercedes power units appears to be a key factor in their improved competitive standing. Pre-season testing already hinted at a substantial step forward for the French outfit.

Alpine now occupies fifth position in the constructors' championship standings, securing 22 points. This places them just two points behind fourth-placed Haas, marking a notable gain in the competitive order. Pierre Gasly has been a central figure in this progress, consistently finishing in point-scoring positions across all three Grand Prix events. His individual performances include a tenth-place finish in Australia, a sixth in China, and a seventh in Japan, showcasing sustained race pace and single-lap qualifying efforts.

Gasly's consistent delivery of points underscores his value to the team. His strong finishes, including holding off a charging Max Verstappen for a period in Suzuka, reflect effective race management and a competitive car package. Gasly described the Japanese Grand Prix weekend as positive, noting Alpine's competitive distance from some of the quicker teams ahead. This suggests optimism regarding the car's potential to challenge higher up the grid, with the team already nearly matching their entire points tally from last season.

While Gasly leads the charge, teammate Franco Colapinto also secured his first point for Alpine with a hard-fought tenth place in China, signaling the team's capacity for dual-car scoring. However, Colapinto has exited in Q2 for all three races and the single Sprint, indicating a need for stronger Saturday qualifying performances. Alpine stands as one of only three teams to complete every race and sprint session with both cars this season, a measure of reliability. The Mercedes power unit integration appears successful, yet the team acknowledges the need for continuous chassis development to avoid relying on rivals' reliability issues. Executive Adviser Flavio Briatore believes Alpine is "in the mix" as the fourth quickest car. The upcoming races will provide a clearer picture of Alpine's true position and their ability to further narrow the gap to their rivals.