Franco Colapinto: The Rising Star of F1 Secures 2026 Alpine Contract Against All Odds!
In a stunning twist of fate, Franco Colapinto is gearing up for his inaugural full season in Formula 1 with Alpine in 2026, despite a turbulent 2025 campaign where points eluded him. The 22-year-old Argentine driver, who made waves by stepping up from the Williams Racing Driver Academy, will now take on a significant role within the iconic French team.
After the dramatic firing of underperforming Logan Sargeant at Williams, Colapinto found himself in a unique position. Released to Alpine in January, following the team’s strategic move to sign seasoned drivers Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon, Colapinto secured a multi-year deal that initially placed him in a reserve role for 2025. However, the tides turned swiftly as he was catapulted into a race seat after Jack Doohan’s dismal performance in the first six races left him point-less.
While Colapinto has yet to score any points himself, his teammate Pierre Gasly has amassed 20 points—an impressive feat that highlights the contrasting fortunes within the team. Colapinto’s performances have been a mix of brilliance and blunders, showcasing flashes of speed that have outqualified Gasly on five occasions, although he has also faced setbacks, including two crashes. Nevertheless, the young driver has shown marked improvement, finishing closely behind Gasly in the last five races, often within a mere four seconds.
As speculation about Colapinto’s future intensified—especially with reserve driver Paul Aron lurking as a potential contender for his seat—Alpine has officially reaffirmed their faith in the young racer. Executive advisor Flavio Briatore voiced his strong belief in Colapinto: “I’ve been following Franco’s progress throughout his time in Formula 1 and I have always believed that he has the right attributes and potential to be a top driver who can grow with the team.”
Briatore’s commitment to Colapinto is clear, stating, “Our decision to continue together for 2026 is a clear indication of our commitment and strong support for Franco as he develops as a race driver.” He added, “It has been a tough year for the whole team… however both Franco and Pierre have done their best to help put the team in the best possible position for next season.”
Colapinto himself acknowledged the immense challenge of competing at the highest level, stating, “Ever since I made my Formula 1 debut, I knew, given the circumstances at play, it would be a huge challenge to keep my place in this sport. It has been a long and tough road, and I am very proud for the opportunity to drive with this team again in 2026, alongside Pierre, who has been a great team-mate and will undoubtedly be someone I can continue to learn from.”
With a promising lineup of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto, Alpine is poised for a breakout season in 2026, aiming to reclaim their place as contenders in Formula 1. Fans are eagerly waiting to see if this dynamic duo can turn the tide and bring excitement back to the iconic team. The future looks bright for Colapinto, and his journey is only just beginning!








