Alpine Finalizes 2026 F1 Driver Lineup
Franco Colapinto will continue his career in Formula 1 with Alpine in 2026. He is set to race alongside Pierre Gasly as the team transitions to Mercedes engines in response to new regulations in the sport.
Colapinto’s Journey in F1
Colapinto first made his appearance for Alpine at the 2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in May. He replaced Jack Doohan, who was let go following the Miami race. Despite a rocky start with the challenging Alpine car, Colapinto has shown considerable growth, convincing team management of his value for the 2026 season.
Support from Team Leadership
Flavio Briatore, executive director of Alpine, expressed confidence in Colapinto’s abilities. He noted that the pairing of Gasly’s experience and Colapinto’s youthful energy would be key to the team’s success in the upcoming season. Briatore shared his thoughts during the announcement of Colapinto’s contract extension, which took place on the Friday of the 2025 Brazilian Grand Prix weekend. He stated:
- “Colapinto has the right attributes and potential to excel.”
- “This decision reflects our strong support for his development as a driver.”
- “We are optimistic about the blend of experience and talent in our lineup.”
Colapinto’s Reflections
Colapinto acknowledged the challenges he faced early on in the season but expressed gratitude for the opportunity to prove himself. He remarked:
- “I am thankful for the trust placed in me by Flavio and the team.”
- “The journey has been difficult, yet I am proud to continue with Alpine.”
- “Pierre has been a fantastic teammate, and I look forward to learning from him.”
He remains hopeful about the team’s plans for 2026 and the opportunities presented by the new regulations. Colapinto aims to provide fans with results worth celebrating, saying:
“We aspire to give every supporter something to cheer about next season.”
