Alpine has officially announced that Argentine racer Franco Colapinto will remain with the team for the 2027 Formula 1 season. The decision puts an end to speculation surrounding the 23‑year‑old’s future after he was called up midway through the 2025 campaign to replace Jack Doohan after only six rounds. By confirming Colapinto’s place alongside long‑term teammate Pierre Gasly, Alpine has now locked in its driver roster for the next two years.
Flavio Briatore, Alpine’s executive director, expressed his satisfaction with the lineup: “We are delighted to confirm our 2027 driver line‑up, with Franco staying on as a race driver next to Pierre. Consistency is vital for us, and from a driver‑selection standpoint we are now settled.
While the driver is an important piece of the puzzle, the primary focus remains on designing and building a fast, competitive car – that is our number‑one priority.” Briatore went on to praise Colapinto’s development over the past season, noting his performances in Miami and Montreal as clear evidence that the Argentine has earned his place in Formula 1 and at Alpine. “I have watched Franco mature into a strong competitor this year. His seventh‑place finish in Miami and sixth in Canada demonstrated that he belongs at the top level and fits well within our team culture. I expect both Franco and Pierre to continue delivering excellent results on track while the whole operation pushes relentlessly to fight for podiums and, ultimately, victories at the front of the grid.” Although Colapinto did not score any points during the 18 races he contested for Alpine in 2025, the introduction of the team’s faster 2026 chassis has already yielded tangible progress.
In the first twelve rounds of the current season he has secured six top‑ten finishes, a marked improvement that underscores both his growing confidence and the car’s enhanced performance. His standout outings came in May, when he placed seventh at the Miami Grand Prix and then improved to sixth in Canada, results that Briatore specifically highlighted when speaking about the driver’s upward trajectory.
Speaking after the announcement, Colapinto said he was thrilled to continue with Alpine: “I am very happy to stay with the team for 2027. I feel settled here and the progress we have made this year compared with last season has been remarkable. We still have many milestones to reach, and I know the team is working tirelessly to extract more performance from the car. Our long‑term ambition is clear – to compete for wins – and I am grateful to Flavio, Steve Nielsen and the whole Alpine organisation for the trust they have placed in me.
I look forward to seeing how the season unfolds and will focus on delivering the best possible results on‑track.” Colapinto’s path to Alpine began with a surprise debut in 2024 when Williams called him in to replace Logan Sargeant for the final nine rounds of that year’s championship. Although he initially lacked a full‑time seat for 2025 because Williams had already confirmed its driver lineup, his strong performances and the commercial appeal he brought from his Argentine fan base convinced Alpine to secure him on what was described at the time as a “loan” arrangement from Williams.
He started the 2025 season as Alpine’s reserve driver, but after a brief period he was promoted to the race seat vacated by Doohan, who faced uncertainty about his own future before the season even began. The confirmation of Colapinto’s contract for 2027 signals Alpine’s confidence in the young talent and its belief that he can grow alongside the team’s technical development program. The organization is currently focused on refining the 2026‑generation car, which has already shown a speed advantage over its predecessor, and aims to translate that pace into consistent points finishes and, eventually, podiums.
With Pierre Gasly already secured on a long‑term deal, Alpine hopes the pairing of an experienced French driver with a hungry, up‑and‑coming Argentine will provide a balanced mix of experience and raw speed. Looking ahead, the 2027 season will feature a full calendar of Grands Prix, including the iconic Italian Grand Prix at Monza, where Ferrari will host its home race from September 4‑6.
Fans will be able to stream the action via Sky Sports F1 or the NOW platform, with flexible subscription options that allow cancellation at any time. As the sport continues to evolve, Alpine’s strategy of maintaining driver stability while investing heavily in car development reflects a broader trend among midfield teams seeking to break into the upper echelons of Formula 1.
In summary, Alpine’s decision to keep Franco Colapinto for 2027 underscores the team’s commitment to continuity, driver development, and technical excellence. The Argentine’s steady improvement, highlighted by top‑ten finishes in the early part of the current season, suggests he is on the right trajectory to become a regular points scorer.
Coupled with Pierre Gasly’s experience, the duo is expected to push the team forward as Alpine works tirelessly to close the gap to the front‑running outfits and chase race wins in the seasons to come.