Who is in the mix for best of the rest in 2026?

Alpine has undertaken a high-stakes gamble by prematurely halting its 2025 development, redirecting all resources toward its 2026 F1 project. This audacious move aims to propel the team to the forefront of the midfield when new regulations arrive. Despite concluding the 2025 Teams' Championship in last place—a result that relegated their Bahrain paddock hospitality unit to a less prominent position—the team harbors quiet optimism. Early indications suggest this focused investment might pay off significantly, potentially disrupting the existing midfield hierarchy and offering Alpine a crucial leap up the pecking order in the intensely competitive world of Formula 1.