Title: Franco Colapinto: The Rising Star of F1 Who Needs Time to Flourish in 2026
In a bold move that has the motorsport world buzzing, Alpine’s managing director, Steve Nielsen, has thrown his weight behind young Argentine driver Franco Colapinto, declaring that the 22-year-old needs time to “mature and deliver” as he gears up for his inaugural full Formula 1 season in 2026. The spotlight is firmly on Colapinto, who is poised to prove his mettle after a turbulent yet promising debut in the sport.
Colapinto’s journey into the elite ranks of Formula 1 began when he stepped in for Logan Sargeant at Williams during the 2024 season. From the outset, he made waves, showcasing remarkable speed that led him to Q3 and a stunning point-scoring finish in just his second race in Azerbaijan. Following up with another impressive SQ3 appearance in Austin, where he clinched a top-10 finish at the United States Grand Prix, it was clear that Colapinto had the raw talent necessary for greatness.
However, his transition to Alpine in May 2025, replacing Jack Doohan, proved to be a challenge. Despite the immense potential he displayed earlier, Colapinto finished his rookie season without adding any points to the board. This setback came during a catastrophic season for Alpine, which found itself languishing at the bottom of the constructors’ championship with a paltry 22 points.
Yet, Nielsen remains optimistic. He has reiterated Alpine’s commitment to Colapinto, declaring that they will provide him with the resources and support necessary to thrive in a full season. “Franco is a young driver. We’ve seen other young drivers go through good and difficult periods – he’s on that journey,” Nielsen asserted at the Abu Dhabi season finale.
The Alpine chief also highlighted moments from the 2025 season when Colapinto was nearly on par with his more experienced teammate, Pierre Gasly, even outperforming him on occasion. “There were races earlier in the year when he was a match for Pierre, and on a couple of occasions maybe even faster,” Nielsen noted, emphasizing the importance of nurturing this emerging talent.
The stakes have never been higher for Alpine, which has grappled with a lack of stability in its lineup. With the team desperate for two drivers to consistently score points, Nielsen’s candid observations reflect the brutal reality of their situation. “We need stability in the second car, and we need to give time for that talent to mature and deliver points for us,” he explained.
The latter half of the 2025 season was particularly grim for Alpine, as they ceased development on the A525 early to focus on the upcoming 2026 regulations, while competitors continued to roll out crucial updates. This left both Colapinto and Gasly fighting for scraps at the back of the grid, with the team managing to score points in just one race – Brazil – across the final 11 Grands Prix.
“The brutal reality is that our car was not fast enough to score points,” Nielsen lamented when discussing Colapinto’s performance. He firmly believes that both drivers outclass the machinery they were given. When the car has performed, the potential has been evident, particularly in Brazil and Las Vegas, where they managed to break into the points.
As the countdown to 2026 begins, all eyes will be on Franco Colapinto. With the backing of Alpine and a full pre-season testing schedule, this young prodigy has the chance to transform his early promise into solid results. The question remains: will he rise to the occasion and deliver the points that Alpine desperately needs? The coming season could be the making of Colapinto, or it could be another chapter in the saga of unfulfilled potential. One thing is for sure: the Formula 1 world will be watching closely.








