#alpine

Pierre Gasly Reflects on Strong Sprint Qualifying Performance at Chinese Grand Prix Pierre Gasly, the Alpine driver, expressed confidence in his team’s progress after a strong showing in the Sprint Qualifying session at the Chinese Grand Prix. The Frenchman advanced to the final stage of the qualifying event, securing a seventh-place starting position for Saturday’s Sprint race. His performance left him ahead of Max Verstappen, and he was cleared of any obstruction during the session. Gasly emphasized his satisfaction with the result, particularly after a challenging start to the season. “I must say I’m extremely pleased with that, especially after last week,” Gasly said, referencing his 10th-place finish in Australia, which earned him the final point available at the opening race. “We found a lot more performance, and good learning from Melbourne. I tried to put everything together today, and then I felt a lot better in the car straight from the first lap. I think it’s good to feel in the mix and be in the top 10 again.” Gasly acknowledged the challenges posed by graining issues during practice, which affected all teams, but remained optimistic about the Sprint race. “There’s definitely more potential than we’ve seen in Melbourne, so I’m confident [about points],” he added. Alpine teammate Franco Colapinto also participated in the Sprint Qualifying, reaching the second stage but starting from 16th position due to performance struggles. Colapinto admitted the track conditions made it difficult to adapt, noting that while the car performed well in practice, it lacked pace in the qualifying format. “I think the car was not in a bad place in FP1, but it just wouldn’t do a step into Sprint Qualifying that I wanted,” he said. “We lacked a bit of pace.#max_verstappen #alpine #chinese_grand_prix #franco_colapinto #pierre_gasly

F1 Drivers Express Concern Over Race Start Safety Amid Technical and Political Debates The chaotic start of the 2026 Australian Grand Prix, marked by a near-collision between Alpine’s Franco Colapinto and Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson, has sparked widespread concern among Formula 1 drivers about the risks of race starts under the new technical regulations. The incident, replayed during the podium ceremony, left top drivers like George Russell, Kimi Antonelli, and Charles Leclerc visibly shaken, highlighting the extreme precision required to avoid crashes in the new era of F1. Lawson, who narrowly avoided a collision, described the moment as a “lottery” for drivers, emphasizing the heightened complexity of starting procedures. “I had already braced in the car because I saw his car on my left and knew he was going to hit me,” he said, underscoring the split-second decisions needed. The incident has intensified fears that the new engine rules, which prioritize energy recovery and hybrid systems, have made race starts more dangerous and unpredictable. The technical overhaul for 2026 has introduced a multi-step process for drivers to execute a clean start. They must rev their engines to activate turbochargers, wait for electrical power to kick in at 31mph, and then manage gear shifts while navigating sudden speed changes. This added complexity has led to inconsistent performance, with some teams, notably Ferrari, gaining an edge due to their smaller turbos spooling up faster. Despite the FIA’s efforts to address disparities, including an extended pre-light sequence during preseason testing, challenges persist. Drivers have reported difficulties in maintaining consistent battery charge levels during formation laps, a critical factor in the second phase of the start.#liam_lawson #racing_bulls #alpine #franco_colapinto #fia

Adrian Newey's fascination with Lewis Hamilton's Ferrari SF-26 at the Australian Grand Prix has sparked renewed interest in the rivalry between Mercedes and Ferrari, while Toto Wolff's potential bid for Alpine's stake adds another layer to the Formula 1 landscape. The Aston Martin chief was spotted closely examining Hamilton's Ferrari during the race weekend, a practice consistent with Newey's reputation for analyzing rival teams' designs. This moment coincided with growing speculation about Wolff's involvement in the Alpine stake auction, where he faces competition from Christian Horner. Alpine, which had previously expressed interest in Horner's return to F1, now finds itself at the center of a high-stakes bidding war. Meanwhile, Max Verstappen's frustration with the 2026 car's handling was revealed through untelevised team radio snippets. The Red Bull driver described the new regulations as "super frustrating to drive," a sentiment echoed by his engineer, GianPiero Lambiase, who quipped that front-runners were "elated" by the situation. Verstappen's struggles continued as he finished sixth after crashing out of qualifying. Aston Martin's partnership with Honda has also faced scrutiny, with Lawrence Stroll admitting the team's performance this season has been "very unexpected." Despite the arrival of Newey and Honda, the team has struggled with pace and reliability, raising questions about the effectiveness of the alliance. Oscar Piastri's crash during the Australian Grand Prix added another twist to the weekend's events. Untelevised team radio revealed that his battery was "completely empty" moments before the incident, which occurred during a reconnaissance lap. Piastri had previously cited a sudden 100-kilowatt power surge as a contributing factor to his early exit.#adrian_newey #lewis_hamilton #toto_wolff #ferrari_sf_26 #alpine

Toto Wolff bids to buy Alpine stake in move that renews Christian Horner battle Mercedes has emerged as a surprise bidder for the same 24 percent stake in Alpine that Christian Horner is known to be interested in, according to Telegraph Sport. The move, led by Toto Wolff, the Mercedes team principal, adds another layer to the ongoing rivalry between Wolff and Horner, with potential implications for the future of the Formula 1 teams. Flavio Briatore, Alpine’s executive adviser, confirmed Horner’s interest in the stake earlier this year, noting that multiple groups were considering the purchase. However, Briatore did not disclose that Mercedes F1 was among the interested parties. The stake, owned by Otro Capital—a private equity firm with celebrity investors including Anthony Joshua, Rory McIlroy, and Trent Alexander-Arnold—is valued between £1.5 billion and £1.86 billion. At 24 percent, the stake would be worth approximately £448 million. Wolff’s interest in acquiring the stake is significant given the existing partnership between Mercedes and Alpine. The German manufacturer already supplies Alpine with power units and gearboxes until 2030, and a larger stake could lead to further collaboration or discussions about shared ownership. While Mercedes would not gain control of Alpine, owning a significant portion could strengthen the partnership and potentially disrupt rival teams. Red Bull’s dual ownership of two teams has long been a contentious issue in F1, with McLaren’s Zak Brown criticizing the arrangement for creating unfair advantages. If Mercedes and Alpine pursue a deal, it could reignite debates about the fairness of such partnerships.#christian_horner #toto_wolff #alpine #flavio_briatore #mercedes_f1

Toto Wolff Bids to Acquire Alpine Stake, Intensifying Rivalry with Christian Horner Toto Wolff, Mercedes team principal, is reportedly leading a bid to purchase Otro Capital’s 24% stake in Alpine, a move that has reignited competition with Christian Horner, who is also known to be interested in the same stake. The development highlights the ongoing political maneuvering within Formula 1, as both figures seek to influence the direction of the sport. The Alpine stake, valued at 24%, is a significant asset in the sport’s evolving landscape, with teams increasingly becoming focal points for strategic and financial influence. The bid has sparked debate among fans and analysts, with some questioning the implications of multiple stakeholders holding stakes in competing teams. Critics argue that allowing individuals like Wolff to own stakes in multiple teams could create conflicts of interest, particularly as F1’s financial stability has improved compared to past eras. Unlike previous instances where teams were acquired to prevent bankruptcy, the current context suggests potential advantages for those with existing influence. The situation has also drawn attention to broader concerns about team ownership structures. While owning multiple teams is not explicitly prohibited, the role of team principals in managing competing interests remains a contentious issue. Some fans and commentators have accused Wolff of engaging in questionable practices, citing historical examples of perceived corruption in the sport. Others, however, note that Red Bull’s ownership of two teams is an accepted precedent, though the operational and strategic implications differ. The Alpine stake’s significance extends beyond financial considerations.#formula_1 #christian_horner #toto_wolff #alpine #oto_capital

Toto Wolff joining Christian Horner in race for Alpine? Why the stake is so attractive The 24% stake that Otro Capital holds in Alpine’s Formula 1 team remains highly sought after in the paddock. It had already emerged that former Red Bull team boss Christian Horner was interested, something Alpine executive advisor Flavio Briatore certainly did not try to hide either. During the team's launch in January, he publicly confirmed Horner’s interest. Around the season opener in Melbourne, however, another bidder has emerged. As first reported by The Telegraph, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff appears to have entered the race. Briatore had previously emphasised there were several interested parties besides the consortium linked to Horner, but did not mention any names – and therefore did not explicitly refer to Mercedes. When contacted by Motorsport.com, Alpine still didn’t want to comment on specific names, but once more confirmed that several parties are interested and that the process is still ongoing. “The team is regularly approached and contacted by multiple parties and potential investors,” a team spokesperson said. “We do not comment on any specific names or individuals in question. Any discussions are not a matter for the team, they’re between the current stakeholders and parties expressing an interest. The primary focus for the team is the immediate task at hand which is the start of the racing season and seeing a sustained recovery of performance on track.” Mercedes has not denied Wolff’s interest in the Alpine shares and instead confirmed that it always keeps an eye open for strategic opportunities: “Mercedes is a key strategic partner of Alpine and we are being kept apprised of the latest developments.#mercedes #christian_horner #toto_wolff #alpine #otro_capital

Jack Doohan disclosed he faced severe threats and sought police assistance amid a tense encounter with armed individuals around the time of last year’s Miami Grand Prix, shortly before his departure from Alpine. The Australian driver revealed these details in a recent episode of the Netflix documentary Drive to Survive, which was released on Friday. Doohan described the atmosphere surrounding his final race for Alpine as “pretty heavy stuff,” highlighting the intense pressure he endured. Doohan made his debut for Alpine in the last race of 2024 and was replaced by Franco Colapinto after the Miami Grand Prix, the sixth race of 2025. He is now serving as a reserve driver for Haas. In the documentary, Doohan stated he received “serious death threats” via email, with messages warning that he would be “all my limbs will be cut off” if he remained in the car by the time of the Miami race. He also recounted an incident where he spotted three armed men, prompting him to call his police escort to de-escalate the situation. Doohan did not elaborate on how the incident was resolved or identify those responsible. Earlier, after Colapinto took over his seat at Alpine in May, Doohan shared on social media that he and his family had been subjected to online abuse, suggesting that fans from Colapinto’s home country, Argentina, were behind the harassment. The duo were the only two drivers in Formula One last season who failed to score a single point, while Alpine finished last in the constructors’ standings. The circumstances surrounding Doohan’s exit from the team and the threats he faced have sparked discussions about the pressures and challenges faced by drivers in the sport.#alpine #miami_grand_prix #franco_colapinto #jack_doohan #drive_to_survive

F1 Driver Jack Doohan Details Death Threats and Armed Encounter Before Alpine Exit Formula 1 driver Jack Doohan disclosed he faced life-threatening threats and confronted armed individuals during an incident linked to the 2024 Miami Grand Prix, which preceded his departure from Alpine. The events unfolded shortly before the Australian driver lost his Formula 1 seat with the team. Doohan shared his harrowing experience in the latest episode of the Netflix documentary Drive To Survive, released on Friday, describing the tense environment surrounding his final race as “pretty heavy stuff.” In the documentary, Doohan described the nature of the threats he received. “I got serious death threats for this Grand Prix, saying they’re going to kill me here if I’m not out of the car,” he said. He added that he received multiple emails warning that if he remained in the car during the Miami race, “all my limbs will be cut off.” Beyond the digital threats, Doohan recounted a physical encounter with three armed men, prompting him to contact his security team. “I had to call my police escort to come get it under control,” he explained, though he did not elaborate on how the situation was resolved or identify those involved. The incidents coincided with a turning point in Doohan’s career. He made his Formula 1 debut for Alpine in the final race of the 2024 season but was subsequently dropped and replaced by Franco Colapinto after the Miami event, which marked the sixth race of the 2025 calendar. Doohan now holds a reserve driver role for Haas. Following Colapinto’s appointment in May, Doohan publicly addressed the online abuse he and his family endured, suggesting at the time that fans from Colapinto’s home country, Argentina, were responsible.#alpine #miami_grand_prix #franco_colapinto #jack_doohan #drive_to_survive

F1 Driver Jack Doohan Claims Armed Men Confronted Him in Miami After Death Threats Australia’s Jack Doohan revealed in a recent episode of the Netflix documentary Drive To Survive that he faced death threats and a dangerous encounter with armed men shortly before his departure from Alpine, the Formula One team. The incident occurred around the time of last year’s Miami Grand Prix, which marked the sixth race of the 2025 season and the final race of Doohan’s tenure with Alpine. Doohan, who made his debut for Alpine in the last race of 2024, was replaced by Franco Colapinto in May 2025. In the documentary, he described receiving severe threats via email, with messages warning that he would be “killed” if he remained in the car for the Miami race. He recounted receiving multiple emails stating that if he was still competing in the event, “all my limbs will be cut off.” The driver also detailed an incident where he encountered three armed men, prompting him to call his police escort to de-escalate the situation. He did not specify how the confrontation was resolved or identify those involved. The details of the incident remain unclear, though Doohan emphasized the tense atmosphere surrounding his final race. Following his replacement by Colapinto, Doohan shared on social media that he and his family had been subjected to online abuse, which he attributed to fans from Colapinto’s home country, Argentina. The two drivers were the only ones in F1 last season who failed to score a single point, as Alpine finished last in the constructors’ standings. Doohan is now serving as a reserve driver for Haas, a role that has limited his involvement in the sport.#alpine #miami_grand_prix #franco_colapinto #haas #jack_doohan