Pierre Gasly believes Alpine could fight for titles in 2026—possibly tempting even Max Verstappen to join the French outfit.
Pierre Gasly has doubled down on his bold claim that he could become a Formula 1 World Champion with Alpine as early as next season, thanks to the upcoming power unit regulation changes set for 2026.
The French driver sees the new engine rules as a fresh opportunity—not just for himself but for Alpine as a whole. With the team becoming a Mercedes customer, optimism is growing in Enstone.
Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher is also keeping a close eye on Alpine. He recently named them as a potential destination for none other than Max Verstappen, citing the team’s long-term project, Gasly’s growing performance, and the behind-the-scenes influence of Flavio Briatore as key ingredients that could make Alpine a serious player.
Asked about Schumacher’s comments during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix weekend, Gasly didn’t shy away from the high expectations.
“I said I could be World Champion next year. So yes, I believe Alpine has what it takes to fight at the front. From there, people can draw their own conclusions.”
And what about Verstappen joining him at Alpine? Gasly offered only a smile, letting speculation hang in the air.
Heading into Jeddah, Gasly carries momentum from a strong Bahrain Grand Prix, where he qualified fifth, started fourth, and finished seventh—his first top-10 result of the season.
Still, he remains cautious. The fast, energy-demanding Corniche Circuit could be tricky for Alpine, given the limitations of the current Renault engine.
“We know this track might be more challenging for us, but we also know what we’re working with,” Gasly said. “We have what we have—and we need to make the most of it. On paper, it’s an energy-sensitive circuit, but it’s our job to push and be as competitive as possible.”
When asked directly about the Renault engine’s performance gap, Gasly declined to elaborate.
“You know I can’t answer that,” he replied with a knowing grin.
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