Alpine to ‘consider all options’ regarding F1 2026 engine call

Pierre Gasly hopes Alpine will “consider all options” as it considers dropping its engine program for customer engines for 2026.

Motorsport.com/Autosport recently learned that Alpine is considering abandoning its F1 powertrain factory program in France and striking a deal for a customer engine instead, amid questions about the status of its new hybrid units for 2026.

Alpine’s Renault engines are now known to be lower in power compared to competing manufacturers.

And while work is underway for the 2026 regulations, senior management is reconsidering whether or not it makes sense to continue investing resources into the F1 program at its Viry-Chatillon factory when it could potentially acquire engines from brands like Mercedes.

Gasly said he expects the team to “consider all options” regarding what’s best, focusing on the one that will make it as competitive as possible.

“As a team, it is important to consider all options and then decide what is best in terms of performance,” he said.

“The objectives are very clear for the team. We want to be competitive. We want to fight up front.

“All conversations are very open with the team, so I have confidence in the decision of top management and I have no particular concerns on that side.”

While Alpine would lose some flexibility on how it integrates an outboard powertrain into the rear of its chassis, Gasly said the fact that there is parity between factory and customer engines means that he is not too concerned about the possibility of Alpine losing its work. Status.

Pierre Gasly, Alpine A524, heads towards the grid

Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images

“Basically as a factory team you don’t have any limitations, you set your limits. And that’s the advantage,” he explained.

“The regulations are made at this stage, there is a clear parity between all the different parts, especially on the engine side. But we lose a little of the flexibility that we can have as a factory team.

Meanwhile, Enstone’s chassis department continues to work hard to rectify a poor start to 2024, with Alpine having scored just five points so far.

With no improvements expected before the summer break, the team will likely continue to struggle in the next triple-header, but Gasly is adamant that “more performances will come” later this season.

“There have been a lot of changes internally, whether on the management side, or the operation, the processes at the factory,” he explained.

“There have been a lot of improvements in many different departments, which does not immediately translate into better performance on the track.

“There have been quite a few red lights in different areas, which I think will help improve and develop the car.

“At the moment we obviously can’t see this performance. But I know there will be more performances coming later in the year.”