Pierre Gasly hails 'best night of the year' as nightmare 2025 Alpine season concludes

Pierre Gasly declared the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix the 'best night of the year' as a torturous 2025 Formula 1 season with Alpine finally came to a close. The French driver endured his worst full campaign in the sport, scoring just 22 points in a car he described as unkind, but expressed pride in his team's resilience and optimism for a fresh start with Mercedes power in 2026.

Why it matters:

For a driver of Gasly's caliber, a season spent largely outside the points is a significant professional setback and highlights the severe competitive deficit Alpine faced. His relief at the season's end underscores the mental and physical toll of driving an uncompetitive car, while his forward-looking optimism is crucial for team morale as they embark on a major reset with a new engine supplier.

The details:

• Gasly's 2025 season was his worst in F1, with a P4 in Bahrain serving as the solitary highlight amid a year where he often finished outside the top 10—a rarity for him since 2019.
• He scored all of Alpine's 22 constructor points, with the A525 widely regarded as the slowest car on the grid, absolving him of significant blame for the poor results.
• The driver admitted the season was "very tough" and praised the team for not giving up despite the lack of performance, stating he was "very proud of how the team managed to end such a season."
• In a lighthearted moment, Gasly told his team to keep the A525 "out of my sight next year," suggesting it be stored in a corner at the Enstone factory, calling it an unkind car to drive.
• The weekend also marked an emotional farewell for the Renault engine department, which is exiting F1 after nearly 50 years, with Gasly noting "tears in the eyes" among the personnel.

What's next:

With Alpine having abandoned the 2025 car early to focus on 2026, Gasly's outlook is decidedly forward-focused. He expressed strong optimism for the team's future, citing positive progress in the factory and simulator.

• New Power Unit: The switch to Mercedes engines for 2026 is a cornerstone of the team's revival plan, with Gasly confirming everything is "looking good" and targets are being hit.
• Chassis Development: He is reportedly optimistic about the chassis being developed for the new regulations, suggesting a holistic improvement is in the pipeline.
• While the challenges of a new engine partnership are significant, Gasly's relief to turn the page and his confidence in the project provide a glimmer of hope for Alpine's long-suffering fans.