Alpine admit being "a step behind" as Formula 1 head to uncertainty of Spa-Francorchamps

The Enstone team scored with both cars at Silverstone but remain behind several direct midfield rivals. Executive director Steve Nielsen admitted Alpine must improve quickly before Formula 1’s summer break.

“We are in a very close midfield fight in the battle for P5 in the Constructors’ Championship and it is evident that right now we are just that step behind some of our rivals, which we must quickly resolve. Many races so far this season have come down to attrition and it is important we are there to seize any opportunities," said Nielsen.

Franco Colapinto recovered from 19th on the grid to finish ninth at the British Grand Prix. Alpine’s second points finish showed improved execution, although Nielsen believes stronger underlying pace remains essential.

Several midfield teams have capitalised when incidents or reliability problems disrupted races this season. Nielsen added:  “The team in Enstone is working hard on upgrades and it is important that, when we do introduce them to our package, they are effective and decisive,” he added.

Spa-Francorchamps will provide another examination of Alpine’s progress under Formula 1’s latest technical regulations.

At 7.004 kilometres, Spa is the longest circuit on the 2026 calendar. Its lengthy straights and high-speed corners will place significant demands on energy deployment and aerodynamic efficiency.

Teams could adopt different approaches while balancing straight-line speed against performance through Eau Rouge, Raidillon and Blanchimont.

Pierre Gasly believes the current cars could make Spa significantly different from previous seasons: “This year might appear a little different with the current generation of cars and some of the energy management we will have to do on the lap.

"We will probably have to go there with a very open mind and try to arrive with a few ideas up our sleeve to maximise lap-time. I am determined for a better performance than some of the previous races and take the fight back to our rivals in the championship, which is now extremely close," added Gasly.

Colapinto also expects energy deployment to influence both performance and racing opportunities during the weekend: “The high-speed corners always require a lot of commitment and there are a lot of overtaking areas too, especially this year with cars that can follow much closer.

“The energy management will add an interesting element to the weekend and we will work very hard during Free Practice to fine-tune our optimum strategy,” the Argentine said.

The Belgian Grand Prix begins the final double-header before Formula 1 enters its summer shutdown. Alpine must convert its Silverstone points into sustained progress if it is to remain firmly involved in the battle for fifth.

The weekend will also carry significant emotional weight for Gasly and the wider motorsport community. Alpine will remember former Renault Sport Academy driver Anthoine Hubert, who died following a Formula 2 accident at Spa in 2019.

Gasly will organise the fourth annual “Run for Anthoine” on Thursday evening. Members of the Formula 1, Formula 2 and Formula 3 paddocks will participate.

The event will also honour Dilano van ’t Hoff, who died during a Formula Regional European Championship race at Spa in 2023. Participants will stop at Eau Rouge to remember Hubert before pausing on the Kemmel Straight for Van ’t Hoff.

Gasly said: “There is also the more emotional side of returning to Spa year-on-year as I, amongst many others, remember Anthoine. We reflect fondly on all the memories with him.”

Spa therefore represents more than another crucial round in Alpine’s increasingly close midfield campaign. The team arrives seeking performance, points and momentum, while also remembering two young drivers lost at the Belgian circuit.