Lando Norris
McLaren
Mercedes
Red Bull
Ferrari
Williams
Racing Bulls
Aston Martin
Haas
Alpine
Alpine struggled during the 2025 Formula 1 season as they did not develop the 2024 car and saved wind tunnel tunnel time for 2026.
At the end of the 2025 season, Alpine found themselves in last place in the Constructors Championship after saving development time for the 2026 season.
The disappointing year for the Enstone-based team may have resulted in a boost for the 2026 season, as they saved valuable resources for the new regulations that have been introduced to Formula 1.
One of the major changes that Alpine have made is the change of engine supplier, as Alpine now have a Mercedes power unit in the back of their A526.
After a positive test at the Bahrain International Circuit, there have been some bold predictions made regarding Alpine at the Australian Grand Prix.
Alpine will hope to end their droughts in F1 now they have a Mercedes engine, but will they?
READ MORE: All you need to know about Alpine F1 Team from team principal to lineage
Alpine backed as a surprise podium contender for the season opener
At the end of the first Bahrain Formula 1 Test, an Alpine driver featured inside the top ten as Franco Colapinto was in tenth place, and Pierre Gasly was in 15th place.
However, this did not stop Formula 1 technical analyst Sam Collins from making a bold claim, stating that Alpine could be on the podium at Melbourne in March.
With three more days of testing at the Bahrain International Circuit before the opening race of the season, Alpine have another chance to take another step before arriving in Australia.
Collins said, “Alpine should be great. For the reason that McLaren are struggling due to wind tunnel time, Alpine had such a shocker in last year’s World Championship and did not develop a new car for 2025; they used the 2024 car to save resources, budget, development, and wind tunnel time.
“That has given them the chance to have more wind tunnel time in the pit lane, other than Cadillac. That car has a decent power unit; if the Mercedes is as good as everyone says it is, and I think it is pretty good.
“That car really should be a frontrunner, and I have tipped them to be on the podium in Melbourne, if the drivers don’t do anything silly, which is a big if when it comes to racing drivers. But I think they are really strong.”
Is Flavio Briatore’s target for Alpine in 2026 realistic or too ambitious?
Flavio Briatore will take ‘no more excuses’ from Alpine drivers
At the Alpine team launch, Flavio Briatore was very stern regarding what he expects from the squad in the 2026 Formula 1 season.
Briatore stated that he ‘expects the best, there are no more excuses this year’ after the developments made to the A526. With a best result of sixth place in 2025, the Italian will be expecting much more in 2026.
There will be a lot of pressure on Colapinto in his second Formula 1 season. The Argentinian failed to score a point in his debut year with Alpine, and will have to show he can compete with Gasly in 2026.
Although the Alpine duo get along well, Briatore referenced that if the team are competitive, their relationship may be strained after ‘two or three races’.
Receive exclusive F1 news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
