Mercado Libre pulls out of Alpine, leaving Colapinto’s sponsorship in limbo

Alpine’s new A526 livery omits Mercado Libre, the e‑commerce giant that has funded Argentine rookie Franco Colapinto’s F1 rise. The sponsor’s sudden disappearance raises questions about the driver’s financial backing and Alpine’s strategy in Latin America.

Why it matters:

• Mercado Libre helped Alpine tap Argentina’s passionate fanbase and underwrote much of Colapinto’s budget.
• Losing the partner could tighten the team’s resources and affect the rookie’s performance outlook.
• The move signals a broader shift in the sponsor’s F1 approach, aiming for pan‑Latin‑American visibility rather than a single‑driver focus.

The details:

• The Argentine company has been on Alpine’s side since 2022, even prompting special liveries at the US, Mexican and São Paulo Grands Prix.
• Alpine extended Colapinto’s contract through 2026, but the new A526 was launched without the Mercado Libre logo.
• Sources tell RacingNews365 that Mercado Libre is reevaluating its F1 presence, looking to broaden exposure beyond Argentina.
• Its Brazilian arm, Mercado Livre, recently announced a sponsorship deal with Audi rookie Gabriel Bortoleto.
• The brand also appeared on Sergio Pérez’s test helmet for Cadillac, hinting at a multi‑driver, region‑wide strategy.

What's next:

• Negotiations are reportedly ongoing to keep Mercado Libre as a partner of Alpine’s Mercedes‑powered car; a deal could be sealed before the season starts.
• Argentine fans and media are pressuring both parties for a swift resolution, while the sponsor may spread its branding across other Latin‑American drivers if talks stall.