Flavio Briatore has suggested that Alpine is considering keeping Franco Colapinto on their Formula 1® roster beyond the 2026 season, potentially extending his contract into 2027. This comes as Colapinto has shown notable progress during the current campaign, raising hopes within the team about his future role.
Colapinto made his full-time debut with Alpine at the 2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, initially stepping in for Jack Doohan for five races. After this period, he retained a race-by-race seat but finished the 2025 season without scoring points. However, the 2026 season has seen a marked improvement in his performances. His best result so far is a sixth-place finish at the Canadian Grand Prix, and he has frequently out-qualified his teammate Pierre Gasly. Alpine currently leads the midfield with 57 points after seven rounds, with Colapinto contributing 16 points through consistent top-10 finishes in China, Miami, Canada, and Barcelona-Catalunya.
Briatore, Alpine’s Executive Advisor, highlighted Colapinto’s growth in several areas, including his mental approach, technical skills, and his relationship within the team. He described the driver as a confirmed talent and indicated that Alpine is looking at the possibility of extending his contract into 2027, provided that his performance and dynamic with Gasly remain positive. Briatore compared their partnership to previous successful driver pairings at Alpine, suggesting that the team values the balance they bring.
The decision on Alpine’s 2027 driver lineup is expected before the summer break at the end of August 2026. While Briatore’s comments offer insight into the team’s thinking, they do not constitute an official announcement. The situation remains contingent on Colapinto’s continued development and how the team views its overall driver strategy moving forward.
Colapinto’s progress this season reflects a positive trajectory for Alpine as they seek to strengthen their midfield position. His ability to consistently finish in the points and challenge his teammate in qualifying sessions suggests that the team sees potential value in maintaining continuity with their driver lineup.
As the 2026 season continues, Alpine’s approach to driver contracts will be closely watched, with Colapinto’s performances playing a key role in shaping the team’s plans. Briatore’s remarks underline the importance Alpine places on both talent and team harmony when considering future commitments.
