Alpine Boss Predicts Breakout Season for 'Slow Burner' Colapinto

Alpine team boss Steve Nielsen has labeled driver Franco Colapinto a "slow burner" but predicts the Argentine rookie will show significant improvement in the coming F1 season, especially with an upgraded car. Colapinto struggled to score points after a mid-season switch to the uncompetitive 2025 Alpine, but the team believes a new chassis and Mercedes power units will unlock his potential.

Why it matters:

For a team like Alpine aiming to climb from the back of the grid, developing young talent is crucial. Nielsen's public assessment and vote of confidence set clear expectations for Colapinto's second year, framing his initial struggles as part of a longer development arc rather than a failure. His progression is directly tied to Alpine's hopes of becoming a consistent midfield contender.

The details:

• Colapinto replaced Jack Doohan from the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix onward in 2025, driving in the final 18 races of the season.
• He failed to score a point with Alpine, with his best finish being 11th place at Zandvoort.
• In qualifying, he was on average 0.315 seconds slower than experienced teammate Pierre Gasly over their 18 races together.
• This contrasted with a promising start to his F1 career with Williams in 2024, where he scored points in two of his first four races, including an 8th-place finish in Baku.
• Nielsen acknowledged the 2025 car's flaws, stating, "It is no secret that last year's car had some inherent problems in it, and we've absolutely fixed some of those with this car."
• He pointed to improved kerb-riding and general drivability with the new 2026-spec machine, which moves away from the extreme ground-effect philosophy.

What's next:

The 2026 season represents a fresh start for both driver and team. Alpine has transitioned from a works Renault engine supplier to a customer of Mercedes, coupled with a completely new chassis designed under revised technical regulations.

• Nielsen is confident the better car will reveal Colapinto's true talent: "If we've given him a better car, which I am sure we have, then we'll see the best of him."
• The internal benchmark will remain Pierre Gasly. Closing the qualifying gap and converting opportunities into points will be the clear metrics for Colapinto's sophomore year.
• Alpine's stated target is to challenge at the head of F1's midfield, a goal that requires both drivers to consistently perform at a high level.