Colapinto keeps Alpine F1 seat for 2026 despite not scoring points - Sportstar
Franco Colapinto has secured a full-time driving seat with Alpine F1 Team for the 2026 season, partnering Pierre Gasly. Despite not having scored any championship points this year, the 22-year-old Argentine impressed the team’s leadership with his late-season improvement and technical commitment. The decision comes as Alpine prepares a significant reset — including a switch to Mercedes power units — in response to a difficult 2025 campaign. Team advisor Flavio Briatore praised Colapinto’s transformation from a struggling rookie into a confident and engaged driver, signalling Alpine’s long-term investment in his development. The announcement was made ahead of the São Paulo Grand Prix, highlighting Alpine’s belief in building for 2026 rather than quick fixes this season.
The Key points
- Franco Colapinto will remain at Alpine for the 2026 season alongside Pierre Gasly.
- His confirmation arrives even though he has yet to score a point in 2025.
- Colapinto replaced Jack Doohan early this season and gradually improved his performance.
- Flavio Briatore described Colapinto as “a different person” after mid-season growth.
- Alpine currently runs one of the slowest cars on the grid, making individual driver performance harder to judge.
- The team will switch from Renault engines to Mercedes units in 2026 to boost competitiveness.
- The decision underscores Alpine’s focus on continuity and development for the next regulation era.
- Colapinto’s strengthened relationship with engineering and increased maturity were key factors.
- The announcement was timed at the São Paulo Grand Prix weekend, with strong Argentine support.
- Alpine now has a driver pairing of experience (Gasly) and potential (Colapinto) aimed at a future rebuild.
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