Gosia Rdest returns to the track for 2026 Alpine ELF Cup Series, 6 months after giving birth

Gosia Rdest is set to make her return to competitive motorsport in 2026, just six months after the birth of her second child, as she returns to the Alpine Elf Cup Series with Chazel Technologie Course.

Photo credits: Good One PR

Polish racing driver Gosia Rdest is set to make her return to competitive motorsport in 2026, just six months after the birth of her second child, as she embarks on a new chapter of her career, returning to the Alpine Elf Cup Series with Chazel Technologie Course.

The experienced racer will therefore resume racing as a mother of two, while maintaining her ambition to compete at the front of the field in one of Europe’s most competitive one-make championships.

Rdest will contest the 2026 Alpine Elf Cup Series, a championship featuring identical Alpine A110 Cup cars where performance differences are minimized, placing emphasis on driver ability, teamwork, and consistency. Officially supported by Alpine, the series has become an established development platform for GT drivers across Europe and a proving ground for emerging and returning talent alike.

For Rdest, who has raced in the series since 2020, the upcoming season represents an opportunity to rebuild competitive rhythm following her racing hiatus while targeting strong results.

“Returning to the track is much more than just another season for me,” Rdest said. “It’s a return to my greatest passion and the place where I feel most myself. Motorsport is in my DNA - it’s adrenaline, focus, and immense humility. I want to rebuild my pace, understand the car well, and work with the engineers, but I’m not returning to racing just to be on the starting line. I’m returning because I love competition and want to be on the podium again.”

Rdest brings a wealth of experience across multiple racing disciplines. Over the course of her career, she has competed in Formula 4, the Audi Sport TT Cup, ADAC TCR Germany, the GT4 European Series, W Series, and four previous Alpine Europa Elf Cup campaigns.

Her résumé also includes endurance racing success, highlighted by two class victories at the 24 Hours of Dubai.

The 2026 season follows an important personal milestone, as Rdest welcomed her second child in 2025. Rather than slowing her competitive ambitions, she says motherhood has strengthened her motivation and reshaped her perspective on racing.

Photo credits: Good One PR

A major challenge ahead of her return involved regaining full physical condition following a cesarean section. Pre-season preparation included a specialized training program focused on rebuilding stability, strength, and endurance - physical qualities essential for handling the demands of race cars.

Although often viewed as a routine medical procedure, recovery from a cesarean section presents in fact unique challenges for professional athletes, requiring a gradual and carefully managed return to peak performance.

“In the first races, it will be crucial to gradually build pace and regain a racing rhythm,” Rdest explained. “Motorsport rewards patience and precision. After a break, it’s very easy to overdo it, but I know that the most important thing is to consistently build form. For me, the first rounds of the season will primarily be a process of returning to my natural racing rhythm - working with the team, getting a feel for the car, and building pace during the race weekends.”

Alongside her racing comeback, Rdest continues to develop her personal initiative, Rally the Girard, an automotive and cultural event held in her hometown of Żyrardów, Poland.

The project blends motorsport with local heritage, inviting participants to explore the city’s industrial history through a unique experience combining driving challenges with educational and cultural activities. Rather than a traditional rally format, the event encourages crews to complete tasks and visit historically significant locations connected to Żyrardów’s past.

"Żyrardów has an incredible, industrial character and enormous potential for such events. It gives me immense satisfaction to be able to connect sport, people, and my hometown," she emphasizes, with motorsport remaining in fact an important part of her identity.

As the Alpine Elf Cup Series season approaches, her focus will initially center on rebuilding speed and consistency, but her long-term objective remains clear: returning to podium contention.

The first round is scheduled for Nogaro in a week's time, before rounds at Dijon, Spa Francorchamps, Magny Cours abd Le Castellet.