Alpine has officially announced that Argentine racer Franco Colapinto will remain with the team for the 2027 Formula 1 season. The decision ends weeks of speculation about whether the 23‑year‑old, who was initially brought in as a mid‑season replacement for Jack Doohan after just six races in 2025, would earn a full‑time seat for a second year. By confirming Colapinto’s place alongside long‑term teammate Pierre Gasly, Alpine has now locked in its driver roster for 2027. Flavio Briatore, Alpine’s executive director, explained the rationale behind the move.
“We are delighted to confirm our 2027 driver line‑up with Franco staying as a race driver next to Pierre,” he said. “Stability is crucial for us. From a driver‑selection perspective we are now settled, and while that is an important piece of the puzzle, our primary focus remains on designing and building a race‑winning car.” Briatore praised Colapinto’s development over the past year, pointing to his performances in Miami and Montreal as proof that the young Argentine belongs in Formula 1 and, specifically, at Alpine. “Franco has shown real growth and maturity this season,” Briatore added.
“His seventh‑place finish in Miami followed by a sixth in Canada demonstrated that he can deliver strong results when the car is competitive. I expect both Franco and Pierre to continue delivering excellent work on track, while the whole team pushes relentlessly to fight for podiums and, ultimately, victories at the front of the grid.” The Argentine’s 2026 season was a mixed bag. Although he failed to score points in the 18 races he contested for Alpine in 2025, the introduction of a faster 2026 chassis allowed him to secure six top‑ten finishes in the first twelve rounds of the current campaign. His standout performances came in May, when he placed seventh at the Miami Grand Prix and then improved to sixth in Canada, results that Briatore highlighted as evidence of his readiness for a permanent seat.
Colapinto expressed his enthusiasm about the extension. “I am extremely pleased to stay with Alpine for 2027,” he said.
“I feel very happy and settled here, and it’s rewarding to see how much progress we have made compared with last year. The team is working tirelessly to extract performance and make the car better every week.” He also emphasized the collective ambition of the outfit.
“Our long‑term goals are clear – to compete for wins – and I’m grateful to Flavio, Steve Nielsen and the entire organization for the trust they have placed in me. I look forward to focusing on my job on‑track and seeing how the season unfolds.” 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 secure a seat for 2025 because Williams had already finalized its driver line‑up, his performances and the commercial appeal he generated in his native Argentina caught the attention of Alpine.
The French team negotiated a "loan" arrangement with 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 young driver has worked hard to adapt to Alpine’s evolving car concepts, providing valuable feedback that has helped shape the team’s development direction. His ability to extract consistent top‑ten finishes in a car that is still catching up to the front‑running manufacturers has earned him respect among engineers and teammates alike. The decision to keep him for another year reflects Alpine’s confidence not only in his driving skill but also in his capacity to grow alongside the team’s technical programme.
Looking ahead to 2027, Alpine aims to build on the momentum generated by its recent technical upgrades. The organization has outlined a multi‑year plan that prioritises aerodynamic efficiency, power‑unit integration, and reliability – all areas that have traditionally been challenging for the squad. With both drivers now under contract, the team can focus on long‑term development without the distraction of driver‑line‑up negotiations.
Fans can also expect a packed Formula 1 calendar in 2026, with the full race schedule already released. The season will feature classic venues such as Monza, where the Italian Grand Prix will take place from September 4‑6, broadcast live on Sky Sports F1. Viewers will be able to stream every race without a contract through the NOW platform, and additional content like The F1 Show podcast and Sky Sports updates on WhatsApp will keep enthusiasts connected. In summary, Alpine’s commitment to Franco Colapinto for the 2027 season underscores the team’s belief in continuity, driver development, and the pursuit of a faster, more competitive car.
As the squad works toward turning its technical ambitions into on‑track results, both Colapinto and Gasly will be tasked with delivering strong performances that can help Alpine climb the championship standings and, ultimately, contend for victories at the sport’s most prestigious events.