P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Pierre Gasly has claimed Alpine needs to “work hard” to improve the A526 ahead of the 2026 F1 season getting underway.
Alpine driver Pierre Gasly emphasized the need for improvements in multiple areas before the F1 season opening in Melbourne. Despite this, he expressed optimism for the upcoming campaign, noting the shift to being a Mercedes power unit customer for the first time. Gasly had a productive pre-season, ranking high in lap counts during testing and showing competitiveness in Bahrain.
Reflecting on the extended pre-season preparations due to regulation changes, Gasly highlighted the importance of maximizing track time, especially with Alpine aiming to move up the pecking order. Despite the progress made, Gasly acknowledged there is still significant work to be done to enhance performance. Excited about the return to racing, Gasly plans to continue preparations on the simulator at Enstone ahead of the Australian Grand Prix.
