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 promoted from a reserve role 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 locked in its driver lineup for 2027. Flavio Briatore, Alpine’s executive director, expressed his satisfaction with the move: "We are very happy to confirm our driver line‑up for 2027 with Franco staying as a race driver alongside Pierre.
For me, having consistency is very important. We are now settled from a driver point of view and I have said many times that, while this is an important piece of the puzzle, the most significant thing we have to get right is designing and building a fast race car which absolutely remains our No 1 priority." He went on to praise Colapinto’s development over the past year, noting the Argentine’s performances in Miami and Montreal as proof that he belongs in Formula 1 and, specifically, at Alpine.
"I expect both Franco and Pierre to continue doing a fantastic job on track and for the entire team to push relentlessly until we are fighting, and winning, at the front end of this sport," Briatore added. Colapinto’s 2026 season has already shown marked improvement.
Although he did not score points in any of the 18 races he contested for Alpine in 2025, the introduction of a faster 2026 chassis has enabled him to secure six top‑ten finishes in the first dozen rounds of the current campaign. His standout results came in May, when he claimed seventh place at the Miami Grand Prix and then improved to sixth in the Canadian round at Montreal. Those back‑to‑back performances were specifically highlighted by Briatore as evidence of his rapid growth and readiness for a permanent seat.
Speaking after the announcement, Colapinto said he was delighted to stay with Alpine for another year. "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 that we have made significant progress this year compared to last. We have a lot more milestones to reach and I know the team is working so hard in finding performance and making the car better and better.
Our long‑term goals are obvious – to compete and win – and I am grateful to the team, Flavio and Steve Nielsen for the trust placed in me to be one of its drivers going into the future. I'm looking forward to seeing how everything plays out and focusing on my job on‑track first and foremost," he explained. 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 Williams had already confirmed its 2025 driver lineup, Alpine’s interest was sparked by Colapinto’s strong performances and the commercial appeal he brought from his Argentine fan base. The French team arranged what was described at the time as a "loan" deal from Williams, initially appointing him as a reserve driver for 2025. When Jack Doohan’s seat became uncertain early in the season, Alpine promoted Colapinto to the race seat, giving him the chance to prove himself at the highest level. Since that promotion, the Argentine has demonstrated a steady learning curve, adapting to the demands of a top‑tier car and extracting more performance as the season has progressed.
His ability to deliver consistent top‑ten finishes, especially on circuits that demand a blend of speed and technical precision, has convinced the team hierarchy that he possesses the talent and work ethic needed for a longer‑term role. Looking ahead to 2027, Alpine’s strategic focus remains twofold: retain a stable driver pairing and accelerate the development of a race‑winning car.
The team’s technical department has been working tirelessly on aerodynamic upgrades, power‑unit integration, and chassis refinements to close the gap to the front‑running outfits. With both Gasly and Colapinto now under contract, Alpine hopes to foster a collaborative environment where drivers can provide valuable feedback to engineers, speeding up the iteration process.
The broader context of the sport also adds pressure. The 2026 regulation changes, which introduced new power‑unit specifications and revised aerodynamic rules, have reshaped the competitive landscape. Alpine’s 2026 car showed promising speed gains over its predecessor, and the team believes that continued refinement will allow them to challenge the traditional front‑runners more regularly.
The commitment to a stable driver lineup is intended to maximize the continuity of data collection and driver feedback, both essential for rapid development under the new rule set. Fans can look forward to a full season of action, with the 2026 calendar already published and featuring classic venues such as Monza, where the Italian Grand Prix will take place from September 4‑6. While the schedule includes traditional Grand Prix events, the sport’s media partners are also expanding accessibility, offering streaming options without long‑term contracts and podcasts like The F1 Show for deeper analysis.
In summary, Alpine’s decision to keep Franco Colapinto for 2027 reflects a blend of confidence in his growing abilities, the commercial benefits of his Argentine following, and a strategic desire for driver continuity as the team works to deliver a faster, more competitive car. With both Colapinto and Gasly confirmed, Alpine aims to build on the momentum of the 2026 season, targeting podium finishes and, ultimately, a place among the sport’s elite in the years to come.