Alpine’s stellar double podium in Brazil may have offered a momentary reprieve, but the team is under no illusions about its underlying challenges as it gears up for the 2025 Formula 1 season. With a three-tenth power deficit attributed to its Renault engine, the French outfit faces a pressing need to innovate in its chassis development to remain competitive.
Briatore: “A Better Car is Non-Negotiable”
Flavio Briatore, Alpine’s Executive Advisor, has made it clear that overcoming the team’s horsepower shortfall will depend heavily on the engineers at Enstone delivering a significantly improved chassis. Reflecting on the wet-weather conditions in Brazil that neutralized power differences, Briatore emphasized the urgency of focusing on aerodynamics and tire management for next season.
“In the wet, the discussion relating to engine power is reset,” Briatore told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “Even in 2025, we will have to make up for these three-tenths by making a better car. We must not worry, but instead focus on better aerodynamics and studying the tires. Without feeling sorry for ourselves.”
Alpine’s Path to Redemption
While Alpine has struggled to match the pace of its rivals since the engine freeze began in 2022, the team is not content to coast through its final year as a Renault-powered works team. A strategic switch to Mercedes engines in 2026 signals a long-term solution, but for 2025, the focus remains on maximizing the chassis’ performance.
Alpine’s recent updates, rolled out at the United States Grand Prix, showcased signs of progress. The upgrades allowed Pierre Gasly to secure top-10 qualifying spots and convert those into valuable points, notably in Mexico City.
Oakes on Progress: “We’re Moving Forward”
Alpine boss Oliver Oakes acknowledged that the team has made strides late in the season, crediting the engineering team for the mid-season upgrades.
“Since Austin, we’ve had a bit of pace with this upgrade. The car we launched at the beginning of the year wasn’t one to remember, but the performance we brought in-season has been impressive,” Oakes said. “The trick is staying competitive while continuing to bring performance.”
Challenges Ahead
The engine deficit will remain a thorn in Alpine’s side for 2025. However, the team’s unexpected triumph in Brazil—with a 35-point haul—has demonstrated that strategic adaptability and well-timed upgrades can yield results even in a challenging regulatory environment.
2025: A Crucial Year for Alpine
With their eyes firmly set on 2025, Alpine has a monumental task ahead: creating a car that compensates for its engine deficit through aerodynamic efficiency and tire optimization. The team’s ability to adapt and innovate will determine whether it can maintain its upward trajectory or remain mired in midfield battles.
For now, the onus is on Alpine’s engineers to deliver a chassis worthy of contention, keeping the team’s aspirations alive in Formula 1’s ever-evolving landscape.