Franco Colapinto Gains Ground as Alpine Evaluates His 2026 Future

Franco Colapinto has scored 18 points in nine races this season, putting him in 13th place in the Formula 1 drivers’ championship and forcing Alpine to reconsider his future with the team. The 23-year-old Argentine, whose contract expires at year’s end, is no longer the driver who failed to score a single point in 2025.

Last year, Colapinto drove the uncompetitive Alpine A525 across 18 races and finished without a single point. He ended the season in 20th place, only ahead of Jack Doohan, who raced the same car for the first six events. The car’s lack of pace masked any progress Colapinto might have shown, making it nearly impossible to judge his true potential.

This year, Colapinto has finished in the points five times in nine races. His consistency has visibly improved, particularly in races like Miami and Shanghai, where he matched pace with teammate Pierre Gasly in key moments. Alpine managing director Steve Nielsen noted that Colapinto is now keeping up with Gasly in situations where he previously struggled: a sign the car’s performance and his own driving have aligned.

Gasly has 42 points and sits ninth in the standings, more than double Colapinto’s total. But Nielsen made it clear: performance, not seniority, decides who stays. "If he’s good enough, he’ll stay; if not, there’s a better alternative," he said at Silverstone. With only eight races left, Colapinto has a narrow window to prove he belongs in a team aiming for top-six finishes.

Alpine has not made a decision yet. Nielsen emphasized that Colapinto is "in the mix" because of his recent races, not because of loyalty or potential. The next three events: Spa, Monza, and Singapore: will be critical. A podium challenge or even a top-five finish could shift the narrative entirely. For now, Colapinto’s future hangs on results, not promises.