It was a first in the history of Formula 1. Under the sun of the port of Barcelona and 15 degrees on the thermometer, French driver Pierre Gasly unveiled his new A526 single-seater… on a cruise ship. Amid 6,000 passengers, 13 restaurants and six swimming pools, this bling-bling launch with a sea view is already launching the Normand into the deep end of the 2026 F1 season. With renewed optimism, he returned to his first laps with a car redesigned from scratch due to a change in regulations.
There have been a little less than 7 weeks since the last Grand Prix of the 2025 season. Were you able to cut it after this very complicated year?
PIERRE GASLY. (He hesitates and counts in his head.) In total, I must have had fifteen days to cut. A week at Christmas with family and a week with friends. It’s super important to be able to recharge your batteries after months of competition without results. Afterwards, I did all that while continuing to train. So, it looked more like a fairly short summer break… But I had this 2026 season in mind for months. So I wanted to be ready.
We feel that you have found your smile again…
I ate a good raclette during the winter, it definitely makes you smile (He laughs). I was really looking forward to getting started. I’ve been waiting for this for months. The last few months were long and complicated. So, I can’t wait to know where this puts you in the championship. This regulatory change is a dream opportunity. I am very optimistic about the potential we can have.
Your technical director David Sanchez explained that work on this car began on January 1, 2025. When did you get into the simulator?
We started the 2026 simulator quite early last season. Everyone understood that there was an opportunity to be seized with this new regulation. It’s one of the biggest changes in history… We tried to understand very quickly what it could change.
And what does that change?
There is no more ground effect (aerodynamic phenomenon aimed at pinning the car to the ground). There will be less aero load, so the car will be slower in the corners. Conversely, we will surely be even faster in a straight line. This means that the braking zones will be lengthened. This requires a change of management for everyone. Even the most experienced will have to get used to it and start from scratch.
What were the results of the first laps at Silverstone at the start of the week?
The most important thing was reliability. The car was ready for the shakedown (technical term to evoke these first private runs). We did a really good job this winter. I’m quite confident for the first tests which arrive in Barcelona next week. On the other hand, we took buckets of water on our heads all day (laughs). These were very difficult conditions… Quite sporty!
How did you feel with the new Mercedes engine?
This is a big change for me. It’s even a new way of working with Mercedes. There will be a lot of work on the engine part. The month of February, with the driving, will be very busy to adapt and continue to work hard.
This is your 4th season with Alpine and your 10th in F1. You are almost 30 years old. Are you changing categories now?
I haven’t had time to think about all this, I’m so focused on what’s happening. (He smiles) When you step back, I’ve been here for quite a while, including at Alpine. But compared to other years, this is clearly the moment when the team will be able to give me a very efficient car.
