Pierre Gasly details 'immense pride' as Alpine navigate first major hurdle

Pierre Gasly has detailed his "immense pride" in Alpine managing to complete its car for the 2026 Formula 1 season, successfully navigating a first major hurdle.

The new power unit regulations represent the start of a brand-new era for Alpine, which has ditched its factory status to become a Mercedes customer outfit.

It is a significant change in how the Enstone-based squad operates, but one it hopes will result in success.

For Gasly, it is the first regulation change of this magnitude in his F1 career, having previously never experienced an entire car changing to this extent from one season to the next.

The level of change is something the Frenchman is very excited about, given the uncertainty surrounding the season across the entire paddock.

Ultimately, the 29-year-old is incredibly proud of the team for getting its car — the A526 — ready, with all its milestones having been reached.

"This is the first time in my career where the entire car has had such significant changes," said Gasly.

"Of course, everyone heads into this unknown territory, but, as a driver, I find that so exciting. This has been a long road for the team to reach this point. We have been working hard on the simulator over the past year in preparation for these new regulations and I know everyone at Enstone has worked extremely hard to develop the best possible package.

"What we see in the first few weeks of the year, beginning with the shakedown next week, will be interesting but this is not the final product as we will continue to learn and develop the entire package each time we're on track.

"I am not setting myself any expectations. It will be a case of working really hard with the team to understand areas to improve and we will take it day by day and just try to be as competitive as we can throughout the year. Of course, I am excited and optimistic, but very much realistic in my ambitions. Right now, my feeling is of immense pride that the team has reached all its milestones in preparing the A526."