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Alpine F1 Shows Promise with Strong Qualifying Performance in Bahrain Grand Prix
Pierre Gasly expressed his optimism after qualifying for the 2025 Bahrain Grand Prix, stating, “I knew after my last corner [in Q3] this lap would put me in a very good place. But nowhere near close thinking it would put us like four hundredths off the top three and only three tenths off pole position.” He ultimately qualified in fifth position, moving to fourth after a pitlane procedural breach forced Mercedes’ Andrea Kimi Antonelli to the back. His teammate, rookie Jack Doohan, just missed the Q3 qualifying cut.
This marked a significant improvement compared to the 2024 Bahrain GP season opener, where Gasly and his former teammate Esteban Ocon ended up at the back of the grid. Following that disappointing run, a series of technical restructures took place at Alpine. They adopted a McLaren-like division of responsibilities within the engineering department and brought in David Sanchez, the former chief engineer at Ferrari, as the executive technical director. Additionally, Flavio Briatore returned as an ‘executive advisor,’ while Oliver Oakes from Hitech GP stepped in as team principal, replacing Bruno Famin.
Flavio Briatore, Executive Advisor of Alpine F1
Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
In recent years, the team had struggled with internal conflicts between the F1 factory in Oxfordshire and Renault’s engine facility in Viry-Chatillon. Briatore took decisive action to refocus the team’s efforts by terminating Renault’s involvement and planning to incorporate a Mercedes power unit from the 2026 season onward. This strategic move is beginning to yield positive results, as reflected in recent performance data.
Carlos Sainz noted the impressive speed of the Alpine through specific corners, stating to Sky Sports F1, “It’s as quick as a McLaren through those corners. They say they’re 0.3s down on engine. With a Mercedes engine, it would be on the front row.”
Pierre Gasly, Alpine
Photo by: Clive Mason/Getty Images
The current Renault power unit’s main drawback lies in its hybrid system, which has been identified as the least effective on the grid. This deficiency leads to a performance issue known as ‘clipping,’ where the car falls short of electrical augmentation during straight-line speeds.
At the recent Shanghai Grand Prix, the team had to reinforce its rear wing after failing to meet the FIA’s more stringent deflection-test standards. Given the known limitations of the power unit, it was no surprise if the team was pushing boundaries on aerodynamic flexibility to boost straight-line speed. This observation was further validated at Suzuka, where GPS data showed that while Gasly excelled through the ‘S’ curves, he struggled on the straights, finishing 11th in qualifying.
“They are quite obvious, the areas we are losing,” Gasly reflected on the team’s performance shortfalls.
Pierre Gasly, Alpine
Photo by: Bryn Lennon – Getty Images
The unique weather conditions in Bahrain this year have contributed to challenges in car setup. Despite this, Gasly noted that when the Alpine is functioning at its best, it exhibits a more stable front end compared to last year’s model. “There was a good improvement,” he reported, adding that adjustments made during the qualifying sessions helped enhance his comfort and control in the car.
“We need this – we know it’s extremely tight [in the midfield]. We still haven’t scored any points this year, and we’ve been on the back foot in the midfield. But this weekend we’ve put things together for a very strong performance so far,” Gasly emphasized. He also acknowledged that the optimal performance range of the car is narrow, requiring smooth inputs to maximize speed: “The front was very reactive, the car was extremely good,” he stated.
Pierre Gasly, Alpine
Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
The narrow performance window is a challenge faced by many teams this season. While Alpine has yet to score points, there is a tangible potential for improvement, largely hindered by the limitations of the power unit. Last year, the A524 struggled with excessive weight and maneuverability issues. However, following weight-reduction initiatives and performance upgrades, the current A525 has shown considerable progress.
Reflecting on the evolution of the car, Gasly stated, “When I think of 12 months ago, what I was doing in those corners, and what I was able to do here today, it’s very impressive what the team has been able to do.” He recounted how the team has transitioned from qualifying P20 to being a mere three tenths off pole this season. “We just need to keep that dynamic and momentum going as we look ahead,” he concluded, highlighting a sense of optimism for Alpine’s future.
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