Pierre Gasly has acknowledged the growing challenge posed by Racing Bulls in the midfield battle during the 2026 Formula 1® season. Ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix, the Alpine driver highlighted the strength of Racing Bulls following their recent performance improvements.
Racing Bulls have demonstrated notable progress, particularly after introducing a significant upgrade package at the Canadian Grand Prix. This development has helped drivers Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad consistently score points over the last four races, with Lawson securing a seventh-place finish in Montreal. As a result, Racing Bulls have closed the gap to Alpine in the Teams’ Championship, now trailing by just a single point in the fight for fifth place.
Gasly described Alpine’s recent results as “damage limitation” in the face of Racing Bulls’ competitiveness. He expects the midfield contest to remain closely fought until Alpine can bring upgrades to their A526 car. The team’s approach is to defend their slight lead by focusing on each race individually and making it difficult for Racing Bulls to overtake them in the standings.
On the Racing Bulls side, Liam Lawson praised the team’s steady progress and the effectiveness of their upgrade package. He also noted the unpredictable nature of motorsport, suggesting that while the improvements have been encouraging, the midfield battle remains open and competitive. Both Racing Bulls drivers have contributed to the team’s recent points haul, reinforcing their status as strong midfield contenders.
The rivalry between Alpine and Racing Bulls is shaping up to be one of the key midfield storylines this season. With only a single point separating the two teams, every race result will be significant in determining which side secures fifth place in the championship standings. Alpine’s focus on incremental improvements and Racing Bulls’ recent momentum underline the competitive nature of this segment of the grid.
Gasly’s assessment reflects the current state of the midfield fight, emphasizing the ongoing challenge posed by Racing Bulls rather than suggesting a decisive shift in performance. The Belgian Grand Prix will offer another opportunity to observe how this competition unfolds, with both teams aiming to consolidate their positions.