Franco Colapinto has secured a contract extension with Alpine, confirming his place alongside Pierre Gasly for the 2027 Formula 1® season. This continuation reflects Alpine’s ongoing confidence in the driver lineup as the team prepares to bring upgrades to their cars for the Italian Grand Prix at Monza.
So far in the 2026 season, Colapinto has accumulated 19 points and sits 12th in the Drivers’ Championship. He expressed his gratitude for the trust shown by Alpine and highlighted the support he has received from Executive Advisor Flavio Briatore. Colapinto described the team environment as a “big family” and acknowledged the progress Alpine has made over the past year.
Looking ahead to Monza, both Alpine cars are set to run an upgrade package, which Pierre Gasly had the opportunity to test during the previous race in Zandvoort. Colapinto is optimistic about the Italian circuit, a track he enjoys, and hopes the enhancements will help Alpine challenge closely for fifth place in the Teams’ Championship. Currently, Alpine trails Racing Bulls by three points, with Audi also expected to introduce a rear wing upgrade at Monza that could improve their pace.
Colapinto’s outlook reflects a cautious but positive approach, focusing on extracting maximum performance from the car in both qualifying and race conditions. The team’s development efforts are aimed at closing the gap to their immediate rivals rather than making bold claims about race outcomes.
Alpine’s strategy at Monza will be closely watched as the team seeks to build on recent improvements and maintain momentum in the highly competitive midfield battle. The upgrades represent a step in Alpine’s ongoing development, with the hope that they will provide a platform for stronger performances in the remaining races of the season.
The situation highlights Alpine’s commitment to continuity and steady progress, with Colapinto’s contract extension underscoring the team’s belief in their driver pairing. As the Italian Grand Prix weekend unfolds, the focus will be on how effectively the upgrade package translates into on-track gains amid stiff competition from Racing Bulls and Audi.
Colapinto’s comments and Alpine’s plans provide insight into the team’s current position and ambitions, emphasizing measured expectations and the importance of incremental progress in the 2026 Formula 1® season.