How Alpine's upgrades put Gasly into the midfield battle
Alpine introduced a mid-season upgrade package for the Dutch Grand Prix, featuring revised floor, diffuser, rear wing and sidepods, helping Pierre Gasly secure P8 in SQ3 and re-enter the midfield fight for P5 in the Constructors' Championship.
Alpine delivered a significant upgrade package for the Dutch Grand Prix, arriving one race ahead of schedule with revised floor, diffuser, rear wing and sidepods. The tight deadline meant only Pierre Gasly received the new parts, while teammate Franco Colapinto used the standard specification. The package reflects Alpine’s delayed development compared to rivals Racing Bulls and Audi, which had leapfrogged them in the standings before the summer break.
Pierre Gasly qualified P8 for Saturday’s Sprint, positioning him at the front of the midfield battle and ahead of Audi’s Gabriel Bortoleto and Racing Bulls’ Arvid Lindblad. Gasly described the car’s improved feel and grip, noting a ‘big jump forward’ in performance, though he acknowledged further work is needed. The updates target multiple weaknesses identified during the first half of the season, particularly in cornering pace across different types.
The upgrade was originally planned for Monza but was fast-tracked to Zandvoort following a concentrated effort at the Enstone factory. Gasly emphasized the importance of regaining P5 in the Constructors’ Championship, stating the goal remains to close the gap to Racing Bulls. He also highlighted the competitive nature of the midfield, where small gains can shift positions significantly.
Gasly’s progress in FP1, SQ1 and SQ2 showed consistent improvements, culminating in P8 for the Sprint grid. While margins over Colapinto were influenced by differing run plans, the overall trend indicated a positive step. Gasly stressed that the team’s development race is ongoing, with opportunities still available to score points and close the gap before the season’s conclusion.