Pierre Gasly and Max Verstappen head into the 2025 Formula 1 season with a shared challenge.
While they once shared a garage at Red Bull, both are now in seats that were tipped for far better results than what has been delivered so far this year.
The constructors’ table paints a stark picture, particularly for Alpine. They are bottom of the standings heading into the summer break, with ten races left to salvage something from this season.
Both Gasly and Verstappen have put in solid performances individually, but neither has had much support from their teammates. On top of that, their cars have not seen the kind of development gains they needed.
The Dutchman could lose patience with Red Bull if they continue falling short in their chase for more pace.
After his departure from Red Bull, Gasly made a prediction about Christian Horner’s future, and now changes are being made across both teams – including behind the wheel.
Pierre Gasly responds after being compared to Max Verstappen during Alpine’s troubling campaign
Red Bull and Alpine are currently seeking new drivers for the 2026 season, and both teams are proceeding cautiously before finalizing their choices. Verstappen’s call to remain with Red Bull could have a knock-on effect on other moves across the grid.
Alpine might be weighing up their options after Franco Colapinto’s underwhelming form, especially as his contract nears its end. There are still several experienced drivers available who could fill that role.
It is a far cry from where they finished last season, highlighted by that double podium in Brazil. Ending up at the bottom this year would be hard to take.
Gasly has managed to stay upbeat, dragging the car into Q3 multiple times and scoring all of Alpine’s points so far. Being likened to Verstappen has given him an extra boost.
“It’s always a big compliment when I’m mentioned in the same group as Max. I’m really happy with the way we’re working together with the team, regardless of how the car is performing at the moment,” he told Formula.hu.
“I’m competitive, so it’s frustrating sometimes because I’m not here to fight for tenth or fifteenth place, but I believe in the longer-term prospects of this project and where we’re going.
“I think we’ll come out of this stronger as a team and it’ll bear fruit. With what we have now, we can’t expect miracles, but we knew that when we decided that the 2026 season would be our main focus.”
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How Helmut Marko’s offer for Max Verstappen differed from what Mercedes could provide
Verstappen spent months as the main focus of the Formula 1 driver market, but in the end, Mercedes could not convince him to join their team.
Staying put seems like the safer bet, especially after more than a decade with Red Bull. Leaving now could have easily led to regrets.
If things do not improve by 2026, he would have every reason to look elsewhere. By then, he would also have a clearer idea of which teams are in good shape for the future.
Helmut Marko gave Verstappen something Mercedes could not: a promise that if things did not work out, he could walk away next year. That option might even include some time racing GT3 cars.
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