Franco Colapinto Poised to Extend Alpine Tenure Beyond Initial Stint
Franco Colapinto is set to continue his role with Alpine F1 following the Austrian Grand Prix, the fifth race of his interim tenure. Originally brought in to replace Jack Doohan after the Miami Grand Prix, Colapinto was signed for a trial period of five races, but team principal Flavio Briatore has indicated the possibility of an indefinite extension based on performance evaluations.
Despite facing challenges in replicating his promising form from a cameo with Williams in 2024, Colapinto has shown signs of improvement, particularly after advancing to Q2 during qualifying in Montreal. "Canada was definitely a good step… we are just trying to focus race-by-race and go step-by-step," Colapinto stated ahead of the Austrian GP.
As Alpine navigates a competitive midfield landscape, Colapinto’s position appears stable—his performances being monitored closely for the 2026 regulations. The Argentine driver, who brings significant commercial support from his home country, is seen as a potential asset for the team that seeks consistency amidst fluctuating results.
Colapinto’s upcoming race at Silverstone holds particular significance; it marks the track where he made a memorable debut last year in challenging conditions during FP1. "It was a very important weekend… it’s good to have that comparison now," he remarked.
In summary, Colapinto’s trajectory at Alpine and his contribution to future team strategies will depend on his continued growth and results in the upcoming races.
