Alpine advisor Flavio Briatore has set a deadline for the decision on a possible contract extension for Franco Colapinto. The Argentine has not been able to perform much during his time at the French racing team, but Alpine does not rule out that the driver may also take a seat next to Pierre Gasly in 2026. ‘The team needs stability,’ Briatore reveals in advance.
Jack Doohan was given six races at the beginning of 2025 to prove himself as a driver at Alpine. Without success, as the Australian was replaced by Franco Colapinto last May. But the Argentine has also been unable to make a significant impact at the French racing team. After ten races, Colapinto is still without points, with an eleventh place in Zandvoort as his best result so far.
Flavio Briatore, who has been in charge since team boss Oliver Oakes left, reveals that Colapinto does not have to fear for his place just yet. “The team needs stability,” the Italian tells Agence France-Presse. “The possibility of perhaps retaining the same two drivers is certainly part of that stability.” Briatore reveals that Alpine will make a final decision about Colapinto’s future at Alpine at the end of October.
Stability
Pierre Gasly extended his contract with Alpine until 2028 during the Grand Prix weekend in Monza, while Colapinto still has to wait in suspense. “We have not decided yet, but normally stability means that we keep both drivers. The most important thing is to develop a car that can really deliver good performances.” In 2026, Alpine will also switch from its own engines to the power units of Mercedes.
