Flavio Briatore Sets November Deadline for Alpine's 2026 Driver Decision

Alpine's Driver Decision Deadline Set for November

Alpine executive adviser Flavio Briatore has announced the team will finalize its 2026 driver lineup by November, confirming Pierre Gasly's extended deal while leaving Franco Colapinto's future uncertain.

Why it matters:

The decision comes at a critical juncture for Alpine, as the team aims to improve its performance and stability heading into the 2026 regulations. Securing the right driver combination is paramount, especially with a confirmed long-term commitment from Gasly and the need to assess young talent like Colapinto.

The Big Picture:

• Pierre Gasly recently signed a new deal, keeping him with Alpine until 2028.
• Franco Colapinto, who joined Alpine from Williams earlier this year, has yet to score a point, raising questions about his long-term prospects.
• Briatore's deadline puts pressure on Colapinto to demonstrate consistent performance in the remaining races.
• Alpine had been linked to experienced drivers like Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez, both of whom have since joined the new Cadillac outfit for 2026.

The Details:

Briatore acknowledged Colapinto's initial inexperience but noted recent improvements. "For the moment, I believe Franco is doing a good job," Briatore told Sky Sports. "He was a bit inexperienced in the beginning, like a lot of the rookies, young drivers. Now, in the last three, four races, he’s much more consistent, no mistakes and maybe it’s Franco, maybe we see."

He emphasized the upcoming deadline: "We have another four or five races to choose and that’s when we’ll see. It is November, we need to make a decision."

Regarding Bottas and Perez, Briatore clarified that Alpine was never seriously considering them for a seat. He stated that Alpine "helped Bottas a little bit to sign the contract with Cadillac" for marketing reasons but was "looking for something else" in their driver selection.

What's next:

Colapinto has a crucial few races ahead to impress Alpine management before the November deadline. The team's final decision will significantly shape its trajectory for the upcoming 2026 season and beyond.