
The Curious Case of Alpine: The Best 'Worst' Team in F1 History
In the cutthroat world of Formula 1, being at the bottom of the standings often invokes disappointment, but Alpine is rewriting the narrative surrounding last-place finishes. The Enstone-based team is on track to become the best-performing team ever to finish last in an F1 world championship, a title that comes with a peculiar kind of dignity.
So far in the 2025 season, Alpine has amassed 20 points across 14 Grands Prix, a record tally for a team languishing at the tail end of the championship standings. Their points-scoring prowess is particularly striking when contrasted with historic performances from teams like Toro Rosso, which could only manage 8 points over 17 races in 2009. By today’s scoring system, Toro Rosso would have celebrated 29 points, which does put things into perspective regarding Alpine’s standings—more points collected in fewer races.
Alpine's Unique Performance Metrics
Delving deeper, the qualifying metrics add further intrigue. While Toro Rosso managed to escape Q1 only 14 times out of a possible 34 in their worst championship run, Alpine has made it out of Q1 18 times already this season. This showcases not only competitiveness but also an upward momentum that the team can carry into the latter part of the season.
However, the dilemma for Alpine lies with their second car, which has struggled under the hands of drivers Jack Doohan and Franco Colapinto. While Pierre Gasly shines with a best finish of sixth at Silverstone, the other car hasn’t reported a single top-12 finish. For Alpine to secure its rank and escape the bottom, it faces a stiff challenge as they trail Haas, who currently sit 15 points ahead.
Historical Parallels: A Look Back to Minardi
This situation draws parallels with last-place finishers like Minardi, who had their own claim to fame in 2005 when they managed 7 points, a significant leap from their previous seasons. Both teams challenge our understanding of performance—can the pride of a competitive spirit eclipse the sting of coming last?
As Alpine continues its quest for recognition amid the intricate dance of speed and strategy in F1, fans and critics alike are left pondering—can this 'worst' team turn the tables and redefine what it means to compete in the high-octane world of Formula 1?
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