Alpine heads into the 2026 Formula 1 season with renewed optimism, as Executive Technical Director David Sanchez says the team has “no fundamental weaknesses” that could hold it back. After a transformative year of management changes and a major technical change, the Anglo-French team is aiming for a strong comeback under the new regulations.
Radical changes chart path to success for Alpine
The team has undergone a seismic restructuring over the past year. David Sanchez was recruited to lead Alpine's technical management in May, while Flavio Briatore, known for his past successes with Renault, was appointed Executive Advisor in June. In August, Oliver Oakes took the reins as Team Principal. However, the most significant decision was Alpine's choice to abandon its Renault engine project in favor of becoming a Mercedes customer team for 2026.
Renault Group CEO Luca de Meo and Briatore made the decision to streamline operations, deeming underperforming Renault power units an unnecessary expense. The move to Mercedes power not only promises better performance, but also frees up resources for Alpine to focus on developing its chassis and aerodynamics. Briatore set ambitious goals, saying: “In 2026 we want to be on the podium in 50% of all races.”
Building momentum from 2024 success
Alpine has already shown signs of promise. Under Sanchez's leadership, the team's car for 2024 underwent rapid development which propelled it from ninth to sixth place in the Manufacturers' standings during the final races of the season. This upward trajectory, coupled with Alpine's decision to adopt Mercedes engines, positions the team to take advantage of major regulatory changes in 2026, which include shorter, narrower and lighter cars with active aerodynamics.
“When I look at how we're preparing for 2026, I don't see any fundamental weaknesses that we would carry into 2026 that would hold us back,” Sanchez told Autosport. “So I think in 2026 we can look at doing our job well.”
Mercedes engines: the key to competitiveness?
Alpine's decision to become a Mercedes customer team reflects a strategic shift towards leveraging proven technologies. Sanchez downplayed the historic advantage of factory teams, noting that modern engines are standardized in terms of performance and packaging. “Now, whether you're a customer or factory team, the engines have to perform the same way,” he explained. “You can be a customer team and be very good.”
-McLaren's victory in the 2024 Constructors' Championship, powered by Mercedes engines, underlines this point. Sanchez is confident that Alpine can do the same, using financial savings from the engine deal to optimize other areas of the car, ensuring competitiveness under the new regulations.
Strategic planning for 2026 and beyond
With 2026 providing a unique opportunity for all teams to reset under the new rules, Sanchez is focused on balancing Alpine's current development with its future ambitions. “You're never 100% sure that it won't change based on the results,” he said of the team's development strategy. “We hope we can stick to the strategy, so we don’t have any surprises.”
The team's confidence is palpable, with Sanchez and Briatore committed to ensuring that Alpine not only competes with the top teams, but also becomes a regular podium contender.
Alpine's bold vision for 2026
Alpine's decision to embrace Mercedes' power, coupled with a streamlined and focused organizational structure, signals a clear intention to re-establish itself as a force in Formula 1. As the team prepares for the seismic changes of 2026, its leadership remains steadfast in its belief that this overhaul will bear fruit. With a foundation built on strategic decisions and promising technical direction, Alpine is determined to stake its claim among F1's elite.
