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Azerbaijan GP Catastrophe: Did Colapinto Crash His 2026 Alpine F1 Dreams?

James Taylor by James Taylor
September 22, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 2 mins read
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Azerbaijan GP Catastrophe: Did Colapinto Crash His 2026 Alpine F1 Dreams?

Azerbaijan GP: The Turning Point for Alpine’s 2026 Driver Line-Up?

The Azerbaijan Grand Prix has proven to be a pivotal moment in the tumultuous saga of Alpine’s 2026 Formula 1 driver line-up, leaving fans and insiders buzzing with speculation. As the dust settles on a dismal weekend for the Enstone-based team, an incident during qualifying may have sealed the fate of one driver and ignited fierce competition for the coveted second seat alongside the ever-reliable Pierre Gasly.

The current season has been nothing short of disastrous for Alpine, languishing at the bottom of the Constructors’ Championship with a mere 20 points — all thanks to the tireless efforts of Gasly, who has consistently showcased flashes of brilliance in an underwhelming car. The A525, which had shown promise towards the end of last season, has failed to deliver any semblance of continuity, leaving the team grappling with a series of misfortunes, including the shocking resignation of Team Principal Oliver Oakes following the Miami Grand Prix.

The stakes were raised significantly during the tumultuous qualifying session in Baku, where Gasly’s late braking maneuver at Turn 4 triggered a yellow flag, only to be followed by reserve driver Franco Colapinto crashing into the wall at the same corner. The Azerbaijani TV cameras captured a telling moment in the Alpine garage, where Executive Advisor Flavio Briatore appeared to mouth the word “finito,” signaling the potential end of Colapinto’s aspirations with the team.

Colapinto, who had been given five races to prove his mettle, has yet to score any points and has been plagued by rookie mistakes, leading to uncertainty about his future. With Gasly’s commitment to Alpine for 2026 firmly in place, the spotlight now swings fiercely onto Colapinto and his competition for the second seat: Paul Aron, another promising reserve driver who has already made waves during FP1 sessions with both Alpine and Sauber.

Briatore, known for his keen eye for talent, acknowledged the intense competition between Colapinto and Aron, stating, “It’s between Franco and Paul. Paul is a very nice guy, a very quick driver as well. And I need to understand what is the best for the team, you know?” The pressure is mounting as a decision is anticipated by November, although the clock appears to be ticking faster.

While Colapinto was once seen as a beacon of hope following his buyout from Williams, his performance has paled in comparison to Gasly’s consistent showings. Meanwhile, Aron has established himself as a formidable contender, having narrowly missed out on the Formula 2 title last year and showcasing versatility with a successful stint in Formula E.

With Jack Doohan seemingly out of the picture, the path ahead for Colapinto has narrowed significantly. The question now looms large: will Alpine take a gamble on a less experienced driver for the 2026 season? As the tension builds and the stakes rise, all eyes will be on Baku’s aftermath and its implications for Alpine’s future. The drama continues, and the racing world is eager to see who will secure that final seat and potentially reshape the fortunes of the beleaguered team.

Tags: 1958-formula-1-seasonalfa-romeo-sauberAlpinefranco-colapinto-2Paul Aronpierre-gaslys
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