Alpine have officially announced that Argentine driver Franco Colapinto will stay with the team for the 2027 Formula 1 season. The decision puts an end to the speculation that had surrounded the 23‑year‑old after he was called up midway through the 2025 campaign to replace Jack Doohan after only six rounds. By confirming Colapinto’s place alongside Pierre Gasly, who is already tied to a long‑term contract, Alpine have laid out their full driver roster for the 2027 year.
Flavio Briatore, Alpine’s executive director, expressed his satisfaction with the lineup: "We are very happy to confirm our driver line‑up for 2027 with Franco staying as a race driver alongside Pierre. For me, having consistency is very important. We are now settled from a driver point of view and I have said many times that, while this is an important piece of the puzzle, the most significant we have to get right is designing and building a fast race car which absolutely remains our No 1 priority." He went on to praise Colapinto’s development, noting that the Argentine’s performances in Miami and Montreal demonstrated his readiness for a permanent seat: "We have seen Franco truly grow and mature into a great driver this year.
His results in Miami and Montreal especially confirmed what I already knew: Franco belongs in Formula 1 and he belongs at this team. I expect both Franco and Pierre to continue doing a fantastic job on track and for the entire team to push relentlessly until we are fighting, and winning, at the front end of this sport." Although Colapinto did not score any points during the 18 races he contested for Alpine in 2025, the 2026 car’s improved pace has already yielded six top‑ten finishes in the first twelve rounds of the current season. His standout outings came in May, when he delivered a seventh‑place finish at the Miami Grand Prix and followed it up with a sixth place in Canada. Those results were highlighted by Briatore as evidence that the young driver has earned his spot.
Speaking after the announcement, Colapinto said he was delighted to remain with Alpine: "I am very pleased to remain with this team in 2027. I feel very happy and very settled here and it's been even better that we have made significant progress this year compared to last. We have a lot more milestones to reach and I know the team is working so hard in finding performance and making the car better and better.
Our long‑term goals are obvious – to compete and win – and I am grateful to the team, Flavio and (managing director) Steve (Nielsen), for the trust placed in me to be one of its drivers going into the future. I'm looking forward to seeing how everything plays out and focusing on my job on‑track first and foremost." Colapinto’s path to Alpine was unconventional. He made his Formula 1 debut in 2024 with Williams, stepping in as a surprise replacement for Logan Sargeant for the final nine races of that season.
Although he did not have a confirmed seat for 2025 because Williams had already locked in its driver lineup, his strong performances and the commercial appeal he brought from his Argentine fan base attracted Alpine’s interest. The French team negotiated what was described at the time as a "loan" from Williams, initially naming Colapinto as a reserve driver for 2025. When Jack Doohan’s future became uncertain early in the season, Alpine promoted Colapinto to the race seat, giving him the opportunity to showcase his talent on a full‑time basis. Since then, the Argentine has demonstrated steady improvement, learning from the team’s technical staff and adapting to the evolving characteristics of Alpine’s cars.
The 2026 chassis, featuring a more efficient power unit and refined aerodynamics, has allowed him to extract better lap times and fight for points in the midfield. His ability to manage tyre wear, execute clean overtakes, and provide valuable feedback during development sessions has earned him the respect of engineers and teammates alike. Looking ahead to 2027, Alpine’s strategic focus remains on closing the performance gap to the front‑running teams.
While driver consistency is a key element, Briatore repeatedly emphasized that the primary objective is to deliver a car capable of challenging for podiums and, eventually, victories. The partnership between Gasly, an experienced veteran, and Colapinto, a rising talent, is intended to create a balanced driver lineup that can maximize the car’s potential across a variety of circuits. The broader context of the sport also adds pressure.
The 2026 season introduced new technical regulations aimed at reducing costs and promoting sustainability, meaning every team must adapt quickly to a changed aerodynamic landscape and hybrid power units. Alpine’s investment in wind‑tunnel testing, advanced simulation tools, and a revamped chassis program reflects their commitment to staying competitive under these rules. Colapinto’s feedback will be crucial as the team fine‑tunes the balance between downforce, drag, and mechanical grip.
Fans can look forward to a full calendar of races in 2026 and 2027, with classic venues such as Monza, Silverstone, and Spa‑Francorchamps returning to the schedule. Alpine hopes that the continuity of its driver lineup will translate into smoother development cycles, fewer disruptions during race weekends, and ultimately, stronger results on the scoreboard. The team’s long‑term ambition is clear: to evolve from a solid midfield contender to a genuine challenger for race wins and, one day, the World Championship.
In summary, Franco Colapinto’s retention marks a vote of confidence from Alpine, acknowledging his growth, his marketability, and his potential to contribute to the team’s future success. With a stable driver pairing, a clear technical direction, and a renewed focus on performance, Alpine aims to make the 2027 season a pivotal step toward reclaiming a position at the front of Formula 1.