Alpine have officially announced that Argentine driver Franco Colapinto will continue with the team into 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 mid‑year in 2025 to replace Jack Doohan following just six rounds of competition.
By confirming his place alongside long‑term teammate Pierre Gasly, Alpine have now laid out a complete driver line‑up 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 alongside Pierre. Consistency is crucial for us, and we now have a stable driver roster.
While the driver line‑up is an important piece of the puzzle, our primary focus remains on designing and building a fast, competitive car – that is our number one priority." Briatore praised Colapinto’s development over the past year, noting his performances in Miami and Montreal as clear evidence of his belonging in Formula 1 and, specifically, at Alpine. "Franco has truly grown and matured into a top‑class driver this season.
His seventh‑place finish in Miami and sixth in Canada demonstrated that he belongs in this sport and with this team," he said. "I expect both Franco and Pierre to keep delivering strong results on track, and I expect the whole team to push relentlessly until we are battling – and winning – at the front of the grid." Although Colapinto did not score any points during the 18 races he contested for Alpine in 2025, the arrival of a faster 2026 chassis has already borne fruit. In the first twelve rounds of the current season he has recorded six top‑ten finishes, a marked improvement that underscores both his growing confidence and the team’s technical progress. His best results, highlighted by Briatore, came in back‑to‑back May races: a seventh place in the Miami Grand Prix followed by a sixth‑place finish in the Canadian Grand Prix.
Speaking after the announcement, Colapinto expressed his enthusiasm about staying with Alpine: "I am very pleased to remain with this team in 2027. I feel very happy and very settled here, and it has been even better because we have made significant progress this year compared to last.
We have many more milestones to reach, and I know the team is working incredibly hard to find performance and improve the car continuously. Our long‑term goals are obvious – to compete and win – and I am grateful to the team, Flavio and Steve Nielsen for the trust they have placed in me as a driver for the future.
I look forward to seeing how everything plays out and focusing on my job on‑track first and foremost." Colapinto’s path to a full‑time F1 seat has been anything but conventional. He made his debut in 2024 with Williams, stepping in as a surprise replacement for Logan Sargeant for the final nine rounds of that season. Although he was initially left without a drive for 2025 because Williams had already confirmed its line‑up, his strong performances and the commercial appeal he brings from his Argentine fan base caught the attention of Alpine.
The French outfit secured him on what was described at the time as a "loan" arrangement from Williams, initially appointing him as a reserve driver. When Jack Doohan’s seat became available early in the 2025 season, Alpine promoted Colapinto from reserve status to a race seat, effectively ending Doohan’s tenure amid speculation about his future before the season even began. This opportunity gave the young Argentine a platform to showcase his talent on a regular basis, and his subsequent results have justified Alpine’s faith in him.
Looking ahead, Alpine’s strategy appears to revolve around continuity and gradual development. By locking in both of its drivers for 2027, the team can focus on refining its 2026‑derived car, addressing aerodynamic inefficiencies, and extracting maximum performance from its power unit partnership.
The goal is to close the gap to the front‑running teams and eventually mount a serious challenge for podiums and victories. Fans can follow the upcoming races, including the iconic Italian Grand Prix at Monza on September 4‑6, via Sky Sports F1 or the Sky Sports streaming service, which offers flexible, contract‑free access. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on how Alpine and its drivers, particularly the newly confirmed Franco Colapinto, translate their technical improvements into tangible results on the track.