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Alpine wants to be title contender in 2026

Alpine wants to be title contender in 2026

09-11-2022 12:03 Last update: 15:47
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GPblog.com

Renault chief Luca de Meo wants Alpine to be able to fight for the world title in 2026. Speaking to the Spanish newspaper Marca De Meo says the team is now at a top level and can compete at the top of the grid within three years.

Alpine has been one of the most consistent teams on the grid this season. In almost every race, Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon finish in the top ten, at least when the cars cross the finish line. And that is immediately the big problem Alpine is facing this season: the reliability of the car. In Mexico, Alonso already made himself heard sarcastically over the radio after dropping out again with engine problems. Ocon has also been critical of the car's problems.

Still, the results do not lie. In the battle for fourth place among the constructors, Alpine is in a much more stable position than rival McLaren, which mainly relies on individual good races, while Alpine actually records consistently good results. In short: the team is on the right track but there is still room for improvement.

'A lot has changed in the last two years'

De Meo acknowledges the same. He also immediately mentions the difficult start the team had when it was renamed from Renault to Alpine two years ago. "Two years ago, the team was not considered an asset to the company but a cost. A lot has changed in those two years. Our racing department is very ambitious and our team has the value of a top team. We hope to be a candidate for the title in 2026."

It is notable that De Meo mentions 2026, given that a new engine regulation will take effect then. It seems to suggest that Alpine has a high opinion of the new Renault engine, even if it is still three years before we can actually see it in action.