Alpine is confronting significant difficulties after a mixed start to the 2025 Formula 1 season, with their performance falling well short of expectations. Once a surprise sixth-place finisher in the Constructors’ Championship last year, the team now finds itself at the back of the grid, echoing the poor start they had in 2024. The team’s inconsistent results have highlighted ongoing challenges as they approach the Austrian Grand Prix, a pivotal event on the calendar where improvements are urgently needed.
Changes Within Alpine’s Lineup and Leadership During the Season
This season, Alpine has already made several key personnel changes, which have unsettled the team. Franco Colapinto replaced Jack Doohan as the team’s driver following the Miami Grand Prix, marking the third driver to compete for Alpine this year. Meanwhile, leadership also shifted, with Oliver Oakes stepping down as Team Principal after Miami amid controversy involving a criminal investigation linked to his brother in the United Kingdom. In the interim, Flavio Briatore, acting as Senior Advisor, has taken over team principal responsibilities, guiding Alpine through this turbulent period.
Disappointing Canadian Grand Prix Spurs Determination for Austria
After a challenging weekend in Montreal, Alpine is looking to recover at the Austrian Grand Prix in the Styrian hills. Gasly reflected on the difficulties they faced in Canada, identifying qualifying as a critical weakness that compromised their race prospects.
“After a disappointing race in Canada we know we have some work to do, especially as our close rivals again claimed points in the race,”
said Gasly.
I think our race was compromised by Qualifying as we know how important track position is these days. The car had some pace, we just did not get it right on the second new set of Softs on Saturday and that left us out in Q1 and then we had a Pit Lane start so it was always going to be an uphill battle from there.”
—Pierre Gasly, Alpine Driver
Gasly devoted time at Alpine’s Enstone factory to prepare intensively for a demanding double-header weekend, which includes back-to-back races in Austria and Silverstone.
“I have been at the factory with the team to debrief and also to prepare Austria and Silverstone for this double-header. Spielberg is the shortest lap time of the season and that makes it very intense,”
Gasly explained.
It has a lot of high-speed corners and hard braking zones which, despite only ten corners, makes it a challenging lap. We will aim to be on the pace from the outset and have a competitive weekend.”
—Pierre Gasly, Alpine Driver
Rookie Colapinto Sees Promise Despite Recent Setbacks
Franco Colapinto, who stepped into the Alpine seat this year, remains optimistic about the car’s potential even after a difficult Canadian Grand Prix. Colapinto praised the team’s progress while acknowledging the work still required before Austria.
“It was not the result that we wanted from the weekend in Canada, but we made good progress session by session and showed we had potential in the car,”
Colapinto reflected.
We just need to keep working hard and keep making steps in the right direction ahead of Austria this weekend.”
—Franco Colapinto, Alpine Driver
Colapinto also highlighted his familiarity with the Red Bull Ring circuit, where he previously secured a podium in the 2024 Formula 2 Feature Race, boosting his confidence as the team approaches the Austrian Grand Prix.
“It is a track I know well from racing in junior series, most recently, securing a podium in last year’s Formula 2 Feature Race. It’s a real drivers’ circuit, meaning you need to nail everything and keep a good, consistent flow as it’s such a short lap time. The pressure will be on to make sure we maximize everything in Qualifying to give us the best possible chance of securing points in the race.”
—Franco Colapinto, Alpine Driver
This coming weekend will mark Colapinto’s fifth race in the Alpine A525, as per the conditions set when he was promoted after Miami, adding to the pressure for him to deliver solid results.
Off-Track Moments Provide Unexpected Highlights
Though Alpine’s recent on-track performance has been tough, both Gasly and Colapinto experienced a memorable moment off the circuit in New York City, attending the premiere of F1: The Movie. The event offered a brief but welcome distraction from racing pressures.
“Finally, it was very cool, and surreal, to go to New York City for the world premiere of F1: The Movie. It’s out in cinemas this week and I can tell you, I’ve been really impressed with how Formula One have pulled it off,”
Gasly shared.
I personally really like the film, and I can’t wait to see what the fans think. To have walked the red
carpet with Brad Pitt though, wow, that was incredible and a memory I will hold for a long time.”
“Away from track last week, we made a stopover in New York City for the premiere of F1: The Movie. It was a once in a lifetime experience to walk the red carpet in Times Square and meet Brad Pitt. Safe to say, it will be a day I’ll never forget. The movie will be talk of the paddock this weekend and I am excited for everyone to see it,”
added Colapinto.
Focus Sharpens as Alpine Targets Points in Austria
Despite the distractions and challenges, Alpine’s drivers remain intensely focused on their main goal: scoring crucial points to move up the standings. Both Gasly and Colapinto acknowledge that immediate improvement is necessary for the team to reclaim competitiveness in the 2025 season.
“On track, we remain very focused and we know we need to pull everything together across the weekend in Spielberg to score some all-important points for the team,”
Colapinto emphasized.
The upcoming Austrian Grand Prix will be critical in determining Alpine’s trajectory as they seek to regroup after a difficult start. The double-header weekend, with races at the Red Bull Ring followed by Silverstone, offers a chance for the team to demonstrate progress and resilience amid a demanding schedule. How well Alpine can recover here may shape the outlook for their season in this fiercely competitive Formula 1 field.