Alpine Boss Reveals Why Franco Colapinto Earned 2026 F1 Seat

Alpine has confirmed Franco Colapinto will retain his seat for the 2026 Formula 1 season alongside Pierre Gasly, ending speculation about his future after a challenging rookie year. Managing Director Steve Nielsen explained that despite early struggles, Colapinto's significant improvement and eventual comparability to Gasly convinced the team he is the right choice for the future.

Why it matters:

After a difficult season where Colapinto initially struggled to match teammate Pierre Gasly, Alpine's decision to retain him for 2026 signals their long-term commitment to the Argentine driver. This move, supported by both his on-track development and notable commercial marketability, underscores Alpine's strategy to balance performance with broader team interests, aiming for stability and growth in the upcoming regulatory changes.

The Details:

• Initial Struggles: Colapinto joined Alpine mid-season as a replacement for Jack Doohan, making his debut at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix without a full pre-season testing program. He showed little of the form seen at Williams, failing to score points in his first 14 races.
• Benchmarking Against Gasly: Steve Nielsen highlighted Pierre Gasly as a crucial benchmark. Initially, Colapinto was "markedly off the pace" but showed clear signs of improvement as the season progressed.
• Significant Improvement: Nielsen stated that Colapinto's performance eventually became "comparable to Pierre; even quicker than Pierre on a few occasions," which was the ultimate factor in securing his seat.
• Commercial Appeal: Colapinto's marketability, particularly his strong following in South America, played a role. Alpine recently signed a deal with Argentine e-commerce giant Mercado Livre, leading to special brand activations. Nielsen, however, stressed that while financials "play a part," the decision was "ultimately, on talent."
• External Endorsement: Williams boss James Vowles, who saw Colapinto's talent last year, expressed pride in his turnaround, stating, "He's showing the world the performance I saw when he was with Williams."
• Team Confidence: Executive advisor Flavio Briatore also affirmed his belief in Colapinto's potential, noting that he has "the right attributes and potential to be a top driver who can grow with the team."

What's next:

With the 2026 seat secured, Colapinto will have a crucial opportunity for proper preparation and a full testing program. This stability allows Alpine to focus on developing their car and power unit under new regulations, with Gasly and Colapinto forming a blend of experience and emerging talent to drive the team forward.