Alpine managed to secure a point at the 2026 Belgian Grand Prix, with Franco Colapinto finishing tenth. However, the team's drivers expressed concerns about the overall competitiveness of their car during the race weekend at Spa-Francorchamps.
Colapinto’s tenth place helped Alpine maintain a tie with Racing Bulls in the midfield battle, both teams sitting on 61 points. Despite scoring, Colapinto acknowledged that the car’s pace was lacking, particularly in slower corners where Alpine lost significant time compared to rivals like Audi and Racing Bulls.
Pierre Gasly faced a challenging weekend, which included a crash during Friday practice and a difficult start to the race that left him outside the points. Gasly described Alpine’s current performance as “not good enough,” pointing out the considerable gap to the cars ahead in the field.
The Belgian Grand Prix weekend highlighted Alpine’s ongoing struggle to match the pace of key midfield competitors. While Colapinto was able to secure the final point, both drivers agreed that the car’s current package is insufficient to challenge more effectively. The gap in performance was especially noticeable in certain corners where Alpine’s car fell behind the Racing Bulls and Audi machines.
Looking ahead, Colapinto suggested that the characteristics of the upcoming Hungarian Grand Prix, with its slower corners, might better suit Alpine’s car. However, the team has not yet announced when they plan to introduce their next major upgrade package, leaving some uncertainty about how quickly they can address the current performance deficit.
Alpine’s position in the midfield remains closely contested, with Racing Bulls as their main rival in the points standings. The drivers’ comments underline the challenges the team faces in improving their competitiveness within the current Formula 1® season.
These remarks provide insight into Alpine’s current situation, reflecting a need for development to close the gap to their midfield rivals. The Belgian Grand Prix results and driver feedback emphasize the importance of upcoming races and potential upgrades in shaping Alpine’s trajectory in the championship.
