Alpine has officially announced that Argentine driver Franco Colapinto will remain with the squad for the 2027 Formula 1 season. The decision puts an end to lingering speculation about the 23‑year‑old’s future after he was brought in midway through the 2025 campaign to replace Jack Doohan following just six races. By confirming Colapinto’s place alongside Pierre Gasly – who is already tied to the team on a long‑term contract – Alpine has now laid out its full driver roster for 2027. Flavio Briatore, Alpine’s executive director, explained the rationale behind the move: “We are delighted to confirm our driver line‑up for 2027 with Franco staying as a race driver alongside Pierre.
Consistency is crucial for us, and from a driver‑perspective we feel settled. While the driver line‑up is an important piece of the puzzle, our number‑one priority remains designing and building a fast, competitive car.” Briatore went on to praise Colapinto’s development over the past year, noting that his performances in Miami and Montreal had convinced him that the Argentine belongs in Formula 1 and, more specifically, at Alpine.
“I have seen Franco grow and mature into a great driver this season. His results in Miami and Montreal especially confirmed what I already knew: Franco belongs in Formula 1 and he belongs at this team.” The Alpine chief also expressed confidence that both drivers will continue to deliver strong results on track and that the entire operation will keep pushing until the team is regularly fighting for podiums and victories.
“I expect both Franco and Pierre to keep doing a fantastic job on‑track, and I expect the whole team to work relentlessly until we are competing at the front of the sport.” Colapinto’s 2026 season had been a mixed bag. Although he did not score any 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 year. His most notable outings came in May, when he finished seventh at the Miami Grand Prix and then improved to sixth in Canada, results that Briatore specifically highlighted when announcing the 2027 line‑up.
Speaking after the announcement, Colapinto said he was thrilled to stay 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 because we have made significant progress this year compared to last.” He added that the team’s development work had accelerated, and that the ultimate goal for the next few seasons is clear: to compete for wins. “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. I look 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 initially lacked a seat for 2025 because Williams had already confirmed its driver line‑up, his strong performances and the commercial appeal he offered in his native Argentina caught the eye of Alpine’s management.
The French team secured him on what was described at the time as a “loan” from Williams, initially appointing him as a reserve driver. When Jack Doohan’s seat became available early in the 2025 season, Alpine promoted Colapinto to the race‑car, effectively ending Doohan’s stint with the team after a brief period of uncertainty surrounding his future. This move gave the Argentine the opportunity to showcase his talent in a full‑time role, and his subsequent improvement helped convince Alpine to keep him beyond a short‑term arrangement.
Looking ahead, Alpine’s strategy appears to centre on stability and gradual performance gains. By locking in both of its drivers for 2027, the team hopes to build a cohesive unit that can work closely with engineers to extract maximum performance from the car. The organization has indicated that the development of a faster chassis, aerodynamic upgrades, and power‑unit reliability will remain the top priorities, with driver consistency providing the necessary feedback loop to accelerate progress.
Fans can also expect a packed Formula 1 calendar in 2026, with the full race schedule already published. The series will travel to classic venues such as Monza for the Italian Grand Prix, where Ferrari will host its home race from September 4‑6. Sky Sports will continue to broadcast the events, and viewers will have the option to stream every race without a long‑term contract through the NOW platform, as well as tune into The F1 Show podcast for in‑depth analysis. In summary, Alpine’s decision to retain Franco Colapinto for the 2027 season underscores the team’s commitment to driver continuity and long‑term development.
While the Argentine has yet to score points in a full season, his upward trajectory, highlighted by top‑ten finishes in key races, suggests he has the potential to become a regular point‑scorer as Alpine’s car improves. With Pierre Gasly already secured, the squad aims to combine experience and youthful energy to challenge the established front‑runners and, ultimately, fight for victories on the world stage.