Overview
- Alpine finished the 2025 campaign at the bottom of the Constructors’ standings after persistent technical problems with its car.
- Nielsen acknowledged the deficit in pace, asserted both drivers are better than the machinery, and set a requirement that both must score points in 2026 with greater stability in the second car.
- Rookie Franco Colapinto ended the year without a point and described his first F1 season as very long and hard, saying he felt unable to be fast or fight at the front.
- The team identified Brazil and Las Vegas as rare weekends when the car allowed a fight for points, underscoring leadership’s focus on delivering a stronger package.
- Preseason testing begins on January 26 in Barcelona ahead of the March 8 season opener, as Colapinto readies for year two buoyed by notable Argentine fan support highlighted by rivals.