Alpine has officially announced that Argentine driver 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 called up to replace Jack Doohan after just six rounds of the 2025 campaign, would earn a full‑season contract for a second year.
By confirming Colapinto’s place alongside long‑term teammate Pierre Gasly, Alpine has now laid out its complete driver roster for 2027. Flavio Briatore, Alpine’s executive director, addressed the media with a clear message: “We are delighted to confirm our 2027 driver line‑up, with Franco staying on as a race driver together with Pierre. Consistency is vital for us. From a driver‑line‑up perspective we are now settled, and while that is an important piece of the puzzle, our top priority remains designing and building a fast, competitive car.” Briatore went on to praise Colapinto’s development over the past year, highlighting the Argentine’s performances in Miami and Montreal as evidence that he belongs in Formula 1 and, specifically, at Alpine.
“I have seen Franco grow into a great driver this season. His seventh‑place finish in Miami and sixth‑place result in Canada proved what I already believed – he is a genuine Formula 1 talent and a perfect fit for our team,” Briatore said. He added that both drivers are expected to continue delivering strong results on track while the whole organization works relentlessly to move up the grid and eventually compete for victories.
Colapinto’s own comments echoed the optimism. “I am very pleased to stay with Alpine for 2027. I feel settled and happy here, especially after the significant progress we made this year compared with last season,” he explained. “We have many milestones ahead, and the team is working tirelessly to improve the car’s performance.
Our long‑term goal is simple – to compete and win. I am grateful to Flavio, Steve Nielsen and the whole Alpine family for their trust, and I look forward to focusing on my job on‑track.” The Argentine’s 2026 season has already shown promising signs.
Although he did not score points during the 18 races he contested for Alpine in 2025, the upgraded 2026 chassis has allowed him to achieve six top‑10 finishes in the first twelve rounds. His standout performances came in May, when he secured seventh place at the Miami Grand Prix and followed it up with a sixth‑place finish at the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal.
Those results were specifically mentioned by Briatore as proof of Colapinto’s rapid adaptation and growing competitiveness. Colapinto’s path to Alpine began with a surprise debut for Williams in 2024, when he was called in to replace Logan Sargeant for the final nine rounds of that season. Although he initially lacked a seat for 2025 because Williams had already confirmed its line‑up, his strong showings and the commercial appeal of his Argentine fan base persuaded Alpine to bring him in on what was described at the time as a “loan” arrangement from Williams. He started 2025 as Alpine’s reserve driver, but soon after was promoted to the race seat vacated by Doohan, who faced uncertainty about his own future before the season even began.
Looking ahead, Alpine’s strategy appears to centre on stability and incremental improvement. By locking in both of its drivers for 2027, the team can focus on technical development without the distraction of driver turnover. The organization has signalled that the next few years will be devoted to refining the car’s aerodynamics, power unit integration, and overall reliability – areas that have historically been the difference between midfield contenders and front‑running teams. The broader Formula 1 calendar also offers numerous opportunities for Alpine to test its progress.
The 2026 schedule includes a full slate of classic Grand Prix events, from the street‑circuit thrill of Monaco to the high‑speed demands of Monza, where Ferrari will host its home race on September 4‑6. These varied tracks will challenge the team’s engineering staff to produce a versatile car capable of delivering strong lap times in both tight, technical sections and long, flowing straights.
In addition to on‑track performance, Alpine is keen to leverage its driver stability for commercial growth. Franco’s popularity in Argentina has already attracted sponsorship interest, and a continued presence in the sport could open doors to new partnerships in South America. Pierre Gasly, a seasoned French driver with a reputation for consistency, provides a complementary experience that can help mentor the younger Colapinto while also delivering points for the team. Overall, the decision to retain Franco Colapinto signals Alpine’s confidence in his potential and its commitment to building a cohesive, long‑term program.
With a clear driver line‑up, a renewed focus on car development, and a calendar filled with opportunities to prove themselves, Alpine aims to climb the championship standings and eventually challenge the traditional front‑runners. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see whether the combination of driver continuity and technical ambition can translate into podiums, and perhaps, in the not‑too‑distant future, race victories.