The short version
- Alpine has extended Franco Colapinto’s contract through the 2027 season, providing stability to its driver lineup alongside Pierre Gasly.
- The team’s improved performance this year stems from a strategic pivot to Mercedes engines and a focused development effort on a new chassis.
- A pending appeal by McLaren regarding Gasly’s Monaco podium adds uncertainty to Alpine’s current standing in the constructors’ championship.
Alpine has confirmed that Franco Colapinto will remain with the team for the 2027 Formula One season, marking a significant step toward roster stability for the French constructor. The agreement secures the twenty-three-year-old Argentine driver alongside Pierre Gasly, who continues to serve as the lead racer. This decision comes at a pivotal moment in the current campaign, during which Colapinto has demonstrated marked improvement, highlighted by a career-best sixth-place finish at the Canadian Grand Prix and a seventh-place result in Miami.
Executive director Flavio Briatore emphasized that the extension reflects confidence in Colapinto’s development rather than just immediate results. He noted that the driver’s performances in recent races confirmed his suitability for Formula One and specifically for Alpine. Briatore stated that having consistency within the garage is crucial, allowing the organization to shift its primary focus toward engineering challenges. The team’s number-one priority remains the design and construction of a competitive race car, a task that requires a settled personnel structure to execute effectively.
Colapinto expressed satisfaction with his position at Alpine, citing significant progress in both his performance and the team’s overall trajectory compared to the previous year. His journey to this point has been unconventional; he initially joined Alpine as a reserve driver for 2025 after spending half a season with Williams in 2024. That earlier stint began after Williams replaced Logan Sergeant, and Colapinto subsequently took over Jack Doohan’s race seat following the Australian’s demotion. Financial backing from Latin American sponsors played an influential role in Alpine’s decision to bring him on board initially.
The team’s resurgence this season is largely attributed to two major strategic shifts implemented last year. First, Alpine effectively abandoned its 2025 chassis to concentrate resources entirely on developing a new car compliant with the engine regulations introduced this year. Second, parent company Renault ended its works engine program after 2025, leading Alpine to switch to customer Mercedes power units for the current campaign. These moves have yielded tangible results, lifting the team from last place in the constructors’ standings in 2025 to sixth place after twelve races this year.
Despite the upward trend, Alpine’s current standing is subject to potential revision due to a controversy surrounding Gasly’s podium finish at the Monaco Grand Prix. McLaren has appealed the decision to remove two five-second penalties that were initially applied to Gasly for speeding in the pit lane. The appeal hearing took place recently, and officials have indicated that a verdict is expected within a couple of weeks. If successful, McLaren’s challenge could alter the points distribution and potentially affect Alpine’s position in the championship table.
The resolution of the Monaco appeal will be critical in determining whether Alpine’s recent gains are solidified or adjusted. Until then, the team operates with a degree of uncertainty regarding its final tally for the season. However, the long-term strategy appears clear: leveraging the new Mercedes engines and a dedicated chassis development program to build sustained competitiveness. The retention of Colapinto signals that Alpine intends to maintain this momentum beyond the immediate future.
For Colapinto, the contract extension provides a platform to continue refining his skills within a team that is actively rebuilding its technical foundation. His ability to adapt quickly after joining mid-season with Williams and then transitioning to Alpine suggests resilience and versatility. As the season progresses, his partnership with Gasly will be tested by both on-track performance and off-track developments, including the outcome of the McLaren appeal.
Looking ahead, Alpine faces the dual challenge of maximizing its current points haul while ensuring that the engineering team delivers a car capable of challenging for higher positions in subsequent seasons. The decision to lock in Colapinto through 2027 indicates a belief that the current trajectory is correct. Whether this optimism is fully justified will depend on how well the new chassis performs and how the team navigates the regulatory and competitive landscape of Formula One in the coming years.
The broader implications of Alpine’s strategy extend beyond driver contracts. The shift from Renault engines to Mercedes units represents a significant operational change that requires careful management. Integrating these power units while developing a new chassis has already shown promise, but sustaining this improvement will require continued precision and adaptability. As the season concludes, all eyes will be on whether Alpine can convert its recent progress into consistent results.
In summary, Alpine’s move to re-sign Colapinto is a calculated step toward stability in a volatile environment. By securing its driver lineup, the team aims to focus resources on technical development and address immediate controversies like the Monaco appeal. The coming weeks will reveal whether these strategic decisions have laid the groundwork for long-term success or if further adjustments are necessary to remain competitive in Formula One.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- BBC Sport↗Colapinto to stay with Alpine for 2027 season
