Pierre Gasly knows how tough a season can get when your car struggles. Throughout 2025 his team Alpine have had a difficult campaign. But rather than simply fight every lap for short-term gains, Gasly and his team have made a strategic decision: stop heavy development of the 2025 car early and direct resources into the next regulations and the 2026 project. Gasly has spoken openly about this decision and what it means for him, the team and their ambitions.
A Strategic Shift
Gasly made clear that the team’s choice to halt further upgrades to their current car was intentional and fully backed by him. He said during Brazil GP media day:
“The next coming months can give us a head start into the next season, so backing what the team did [to stop development early].”
This comment sums up his view that sacrifices in the present may yield a more competitive package later.
In other comments he explained the decision in more detail. He noted that the last meaningful update to the car came in early spring and that after that point development effectively ceased. He said:
“I mean, we know it, and I’ve backed the team from the first day, start of the year, to fully commit onto 2026.”
He acknowledged that it means the remainder of 2025 will be tough.
“The remaining part of the year is probably going to be also pretty difficult for us,” he said. But he emphasised he still sees value in each weekend, each data session and each lap.
Comments During Brazil GP Media Day
At the media day ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix Gasly again touched on this theme. He mentioned that although the team are currently positioned at the back of the field, they have clear understanding of why they are there and what must change. He spoke of how Alpine’s decision gives them “more wind tunnel time” since they are currently last in the standings. He said this will allow them a head start into the next season.
Gasly also pointed out that while on paper the Mercedes engine (which Alpine will use from 2026) appears the best in the field, what matters is what they see at the factory and how they can translate that into chassis and aerodynamics improvements.
He said that even though they are not in a position to compete for big results in 2025, his approach remains firm: extracting the maximum from what they have and preparing for a jump next year. He said:
“Whether you finish ninth or eighth or tenth in the championship, you’re still fighting for nothing pretty much … But if it gives you a car that can fight for race wins … I’ll take that every day of the week.”
Why Gasly Believes in the Plan
Gasly is motivated by belief and clarity. He sees real advantages in stopping 2025 development early. First, it gives the team more time and budget to focus on the 2026 car when new regulations arrive. Second, being at the tail of the field means less update pressure and thus more freedom to allocate resources differently. He said:
“On paper today, the engine Mercedes seems to be the best … Then, there’s what I see at the factory. The staff we have … we have ways of improving it for next year that I fully believe will make things better.”
He also emphasises realism. Alpine recognise they cannot be competitive with their 2025 package. The midfield is extremely tight, with fractions of seconds separating many cars. He said a gap of two or three tenths…
“One way or the other just gets you to the top 10 or completely to the back of the field.”
What This Means for Gasly and Alpine
For Gasly personally this approach means patience, but also leadership. He accepts the current limitations but focuses on the long game. He is essentially telling his team, his fans and the paddock that they are in this for next year more than right now. His confidence in Alpine’s long-term project has resulted in a contract extension until 2028.
For Alpine as a team the decision signals ambition. They are accepting short-term sacrifice for a more competitive future. They are aligning themselves with the upcoming regulation changes and engine supply switch to Mercedes. Gasly sees this as a reset.
Final Thoughts
Pierre Gasly’s comments around the decision to stop development of the 2025 car early at Alpine reveal a clear mindset. He acknowledges the pain of present struggles but treats them as investment into what comes next. His support for the team’s direction, his belief in the Mercedes power unit and his focus on understanding what needs fixing all underline a driver thinking beyond the current season.
While fans always want immediate results, Gasly is asking for a bit of patience, and promising that it will be worth it. The next coming months will indeed give Alpine a head start into the next season, and Gasly believes they are laying the groundwork now for success later.
