Alpine Confirms Colapinto for 2026 F1 Season Start
Alpine has confirmed that Argentine driver Franco Colapinto will remain with the team for the start of the 2026 Formula 1 season. The announcement, made at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix on Friday, the 7th of November 2025, provides some clarity on next year's grid, but offers little long-term security for the young driver.
No New Contract, Just a 'Continuation'
Despite the announcement, it is crucial to note that Colapinto has not signed a new contract. He is simply continuing under the terms of the five-year deal he signed when he joined from Williams in January 2025, initially as a reserve driver. This move heaped immediate pressure on his predecessor, Jack Doohan, before the Australian's first full F1 season had even begun.
After just six rounds, Doohan was axed in favour of Colapinto, a switch that also brought significant South American sponsorship money to the struggling Alpine team. However, the results on track have been identical: like Doohan before him, Colapinto has yet to score a single championship point.
Performance in a Stagnant Team
This lack of points, however, is not solely the driver's fault. Alpine have not developed their car all year, choosing instead to funnel all their financial and technical resources into their 2026 project. The team's veteran driver, Pierre Gasly, has scored all 20 of Alpine's points this season, but even he has failed to add to that tally since July.
Colapinto has shown progress in other areas, notably in closing the lap time gap to his more experienced teammate. Yet, the feeling persists that Alpine's decision is one of necessity rather than overwhelming conviction. Team advisor Flavio Briatore seemed to confirm this, stating after the announcement that he "didn't see anything much better" available on the driver market.
The Pressure is On for 2026
With Alpine expecting to be more competitive next year, the pressure will intensify on Colapinto to deliver. Briatore is targeting sixth in the constructors' championship for 2026 and will require significant contributions from both sides of the garage.
Therefore, Friday's confirmation means little more than securing Colapinto's place on the grid for the first race of 2026. The underlying message is clear: his five-year contract offers no guarantee he will still be racing for the team by the season's end if his performance does not meet the elevated expectations.
In related news, former Alpine reserve Jack Doohan, now assured he will not return to the team, is exploring options outside of Formula 1 and is reportedly attempting to secure a seat in the competitive Japanese Super Formula championship.
