Alpine has officially announced that Argentine racer Franco Colapinto will stay with the team for the 2027 Formula 1 season. The decision puts an end to the speculation that surrounded the 23‑year‑old after he was promoted mid‑year in 2025 to replace Jack Doohan following just six rounds of competition. By confirming Colapinto’s place alongside long‑term teammate Pierre Gasly, Alpine has now locked in its driver roster for the next season. Flavio Briatore, Alpine’s executive director, expressed his satisfaction with the lineup: “We are delighted to confirm our 2027 driver pairings, with Franco remaining as a race driver next to Pierre.
Consistency is crucial for us. From a driver perspective we are now settled, and while the driver line‑up is an important piece of the puzzle, our primary focus remains designing and building a fast car – that is still our number‑one priority.” Briatore went on to praise Colapinto’s development over the past year, noting his performances in Miami and Montreal as evidence that the Argentine has earned his place in Formula 1 and, specifically, at Alpine. “I have seen Franco grow and mature into a strong competitor this season. His results in Miami and Montreal confirmed what I already believed: he belongs in Formula 1 and he belongs with us.
I expect both Franco and Pierre to continue delivering excellent performances on track, while the whole team works relentlessly to fight for, and eventually win, at the front of the sport.” Colapinto’s statistical record for the 2026 season reflects a clear upward trajectory. Although he failed to score points in any of the 18 races he contested for Alpine in 2025, the introduction of a more competitive 2026 chassis has already yielded six top‑ten finishes in the first twelve rounds of the current campaign.
His most notable outings 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 highlighted by Briatore as proof of his rapid adaptation and potential. Speaking about his contract extension, Colapinto said, “I am very pleased to stay with Alpine for 2027.
I feel happy and settled here, and it’s rewarding to see the progress we have made compared with last year. We still have many milestones to achieve, and I know the team is working tirelessly to extract performance and improve the car continuously. Our long‑term objectives are clear – to compete for victories – and I am grateful to Flavio, Steve Nielsen and the entire organization for the trust they have placed in me.
I look forward to seeing how the season unfolds and will concentrate on delivering my best on‑track.” Colapinto’s Formula 1 journey began in 2024 when he made his debut with Williams, stepping in as a surprise replacement for Logan Sargeant for the final nine races of that year. Although he did not secure a seat for the start of the 2025 season – Williams had already finalized its driver line‑up – his impressive performances, combined with the commercial appeal he brings from his Argentine fan base, attracted Alpine’s interest. The French outfit initially brought him on a "loan" arrangement from Williams, appointing him as a reserve driver before promoting him to the race seat vacated by Doohan. Doohan’s future had been uncertain even before the 2025 season began, which accelerated the decision to hand the car to the young Argentine.
Looking ahead, Alpine hopes that the continuity provided by retaining both of its drivers will translate into a more stable development environment for the 2027 car. The team believes that having two drivers who have already built a rapport with the engineers and each other will accelerate feedback loops, allowing faster iteration on aerodynamic upgrades, power‑unit integration, and race‑strategy refinements. This approach mirrors the strategy employed by several championship‑winning teams, where driver consistency is paired with a clear technical roadmap. The broader Formula 1 calendar also offers numerous opportunities for Alpine to showcase its progress.
The 2026 season features a full slate of races, including iconic venues such as Monza, where the Italian Grand Prix will take place from September 4‑6. Fans can stream every race without a contract, listen to The F1 Show podcast for analysis, or stay updated via Sky Sports on WhatsApp. While the schedule is demanding, Alpine’s aim is to be competitive at every stop, turning the promising early results of Colapinto into regular podium challenges. In summary, Alpine’s decision to keep Franco Colapinto for 2027 reflects confidence in his growth, the value of driver continuity, and the belief that the team’s technical development will soon place them among the sport’s front‑runners.
With Pierre Gasly already secured on a long‑term deal, the French squad now looks to build on the momentum generated this season, refine its 2027 car, and strive for race wins and, ultimately, championship contention.