Alpine poised to confirm Colapinto as 2026 second F1 driver

Alpine is poised to confirm Franco Colapinto as its second driver for the 2026 Formula 1 season, with the team expected to make an announcement within weeks and a formal deadline set for November. The decision would pair the Argentine with Pierre Gasly, who signed a contract extension through 2028, and ends months of speculation over Alpine's second seat.

Colapinto stepped into a race seat for Alpine in May after Jack Doohan was removed from the lineup. He has not yet scored points in his appearances for the team this year, but several weeks of improved form, particularly in qualifying, have narrowed the performance gap with Gasly and strengthened his case. Team adviser Flavio Briatore has indicated Alpine is not looking outside its existing driver pool to fill the seat, leaving a direct choice between Colapinto and reserve driver Paul Aron.

The season has been difficult for Colapinto on paper. Since joining the active roster he has made more than a dozen starts without registering championship points, and the car he has driven has been described as lacking development. Still, team insiders and officials point to a recent upward trend in his lap times and consistency. That...