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Alpine pledges unwavering support for Franco Colapinto’s crucial 2026 F1 season: can he rise?

Miguel Cunha by Miguel Cunha
January 10, 2026
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
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Alpine pledges unwavering support for Franco Colapinto’s crucial 2026 F1 season: can he rise?

Formula One F1 - British Grand Prix - Silverstone Circuit, Silverstone, Britain - July 3, 2025 Alpine's Franco Colapinto poses for a picture with a fan ahead of the British Grand Prix REUTERS/Andrew Boyers

Franco Colapinto Set for a Pivotal Year with Alpine in 2026: All Eyes on the Young Talent!

In a bold declaration, Alpine Managing Director Steve Nielsen has promised that the team will provide Franco Colapinto with “all the support he needs to be quick” as he embarks on his first full Formula 1 season in 2026. Following a tumultuous stint at Williams in 2024, where the Argentinian racer showcased undeniable talent during a nine-race cameo, Colapinto’s transition to Alpine has been anything but smooth.

After securing a reserve driver role with Alpine, Colapinto was thrust into a race seat due to Jack Doohan’s disappointing performances in the A525. However, the 22-year-old struggled to find his footing, finishing the 2025 season without scoring a single point while Alpine languished at the bottom of the standings with a meager 22 points—thanks solely to his teammate, Pierre Gasly.

Despite this rocky start, Alpine has committed to Colapinto for the upcoming season, offering him a full-time seat as the team gears up for a new era in Formula 1. Nielsen, who will play a pivotal role in Colapinto’s development, emphasized the need for patience and support. “Franco is a young driver. We’ve seen other young drivers go through good and difficult periods – he’s on that journey,” Nielsen stated confidently.

Highlighting the potential within Colapinto, Nielsen remarked, “There were races earlier in the year when he was a match for Pierre, and on a couple of occasions maybe even faster than Pierre in the races.” This optimism underscores the belief that with the right backing, Colapinto can rise to meet the challenges ahead, whether that means matching or even surpassing Gasly’s performance.

Nielsen’s insights reveal a strategic mindset for Alpine, as stability in the driver lineup becomes crucial after a tumultuous 2025 season. “The important thing for us is to have two drivers scoring in the championship,” he explained. The team’s struggles were evident, with only one car securing points and the other failing to score at all. “We need stability in the second car, and we need to give time for that talent to mature and deliver points for us. You need two drivers,” he asserted.

Colapinto’s transition from Williams to Alpine has been a harsh awakening. He candidly shared his struggles to adapt to the A525’s characteristics, which felt alien compared to the comfort he experienced at Williams. However, a glimmer of hope shines bright as Alpine gears up to switch to Mercedes engines for 2026—a change that could offer Colapinto a familiar edge in his quest for performance.

Despite Colapinto’s challenges, Nielsen is quick to point out that the issues were not solely the young driver’s fault. “I think the brutal reality is that our car was not fast enough to score points,” he admitted. “Both drivers we have now are better than the car.” He recalled moments when the car performed adequately, such as in Brazil and Las Vegas, where both drivers demonstrated their capability to compete when given the right machinery.

As the 2026 season approaches, the pressure mounts on both Colapinto and Alpine to deliver results. With a commitment to nurturing talent and improving performance, Alpine is poised for a critical year that could define Colapinto’s career in Formula 1. Will the young Argentinian rise to the occasion and prove his worth on the global stage? All eyes will be on him as he takes on this monumental challenge!

Tags: 1958-formula-1-season2025-26-fis-alpine-ski-world-cup2025-formula-1-seasonfranco-colapinto-2Pierre Gasly
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