Argentine racer Franco Colapinto will compete for Alpine in the 2026 Formula 1 season, the team has confirmed.
The 22-year-old will once again partner Frenchman Pierre Gasly, extending a partnership that Alpine described as offering “stability and continuity for the new rules era.”
“Vamos nene” (“Let’s go, kid”), the team posted on social media, alongside an Argentine flag emoji, ahead of this weekend’s Brazilian Grand Prix.
The 2026 campaign will usher in major regulatory changes, with the International Automobile Federation (FIA) introducing lighter, more powerful cars designed to place greater emphasis on driver skill.
Colapinto has yet to complete a full Formula 1 season. In 2024, he took part in nine races for Williams, replacing Logan Sargeant mid-season. This year, Alpine promoted him from reserve driver to replace Jack Doohan at Imola, during the seventh race of the calendar.
“I have a good feeling about 2026,” Colapinto said in a statement released by Alpine. “Representing my country in this sport is something I’ve dreamed of my whole life. I was thrilled to return to Formula 1 this year, but I’m even more excited to go back in 2026 with the same team and the same people.”
Team principal Flavio Briatore said he had “always believed [Colapinto] has the qualities and potential to be an elite driver.”
“It’s been a difficult year for the team and performance hasn’t come easily, but both Franco and Pierre have given everything to put us in the best possible position for next season,” Briatore noted. “With Pierre and Franco, we have a strong mix of experience, speed and talent.”
Colapinto became a sensation in Argentina during his breakthrough 2024 season but has endured a more challenging 2025, failing to score points so far.
“When results don’t go your way, that’s when you really learn,” he reflected, thanking Argentine fans who continue to follow him “in incredible numbers” around the world – support he described as “out of this world.”
Gasly, 29, has earned 20 points this season, with his best finish being sixth place at the British Grand Prix in July.
‘Years of sacrifice’
Colapinto called his confirmation “the result of years of sacrifice.”
“I’m very pleased – really very happy – that everything is now settled. Knowing I’ll be on the grid in 2026, for my first full Formula 1 season, gives me a lot of calm,” said the driver from Pilar.
“It’s been many years of sacrifice, and that’s what makes you stronger – it’s made me who I am today, both in and out of the car. I’m grateful for all the support I’ve had behind me,” he added.
Announcing the decision early, he said, “brings calm to the team too. Knowing who the two drivers will be next year makes it easier to keep focusing on improvements.”
Looking ahead, Colapinto predicted “a much better year than 2025.”
“The car is more promising — it has solutions to the problems we’ve faced this year – and I can’t wait to get started,” he said. “We’re here to win. It’s not easy in Formula 1, but we’re working hard for good results. I’m sure it’ll be better than this season.”
“One of my biggest dreams is to race in Argentina, to have Formula 1 there, with everyone supporting me. I don’t think the sport realises what that would mean, the scale of it. For me, it would be a dream come true.”
With preparations under way and pre-season plans already set, all eyes – both Alpine’s and Colapinto’s – are on the 2026 campaign, which begins on March 8 in Australia.
– TIMES/NA/PERFIL
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