Gasly hails Alpine progress as Colapinto rues penalty

Pierre Gasly scored Alpine’s only point at the Dutch Grand Prix, finishing tenth after benefiting from Max Verstappen’s opening-lap crash. His upgraded A526 car, fitted only for this event, delivered a ‘positive step’ in his view, though he acknowledged room for improvement after losing time mid-race. Gasly highlighted better comfort in the Sprint-spec car and noted the upgrades would reach teammate Franco Colapinto at Monza. The Frenchman emphasized the need to learn from both race and Sprint performances as Alpine targets progress.

Franco Colapinto endured a difficult Sunday after a strong start from 14th on the grid, only to receive a drive-through penalty for overtaking under yellow flags. A second 10-second time penalty for another yellow flag infringement further compromised his race, leaving him 14th at the finish. Colapinto described the penalties as ‘harsh,’ arguing that braking in wet conditions on the banking would have been riskier than his overtaking move.

Colapinto admitted the penalties ‘compromised the whole race,’ forcing him into a difficult position behind slower cars and accelerating tyre degradation. Despite the setbacks, he expressed excitement about running the A526 upgrades at the Italian Grand Prix, viewing the Zandvoort struggles as a learning opportunity. His focus remains on adapting to Alpine’s evolving package as the team seeks consistency.

Alpine’s mixed fortunes in the Netherlands underscored the impact of upgrades and penalties on race outcomes. Gasly’s point reinforced the potential of the A526 update, while Colapinto’s penalties highlighted the fine margins in Formula 1. The team now turns its attention to Monza, where both drivers will field the upgraded cars, aiming to build on any lessons from Zandvoort.