Franco Colapinto will join Alpine starting from the upcoming Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, the team announced on Wednesday. The 21-year-old Argentine is taking over the seat from Jack Doohan, who was let go by the team management after six Grand Prix. Last year, Colapinto drove nine races for the Williams team, finishing in the points twice. The young driver is well-prepared for his Alpine debut, although he realizes that a significant challenge awaits him.
“First of all, I want to thank the team for the opportunity I have been given,” Franco Colapinto said in an official press release. “I will be racing at a competitive level again for the next five races.” Colapinto has signed a contract for five races – after this period, the team, led by Flavio Briatore, wants to reconsider the options. “I will work closely with Alpine to prepare for the next race in Imola and the upcoming triple header, which will undoubtedly be tough. It will be a big challenge for everyone.”
Changing the Line-up
“I have stayed sharp,” assured Franco Colapinto, “with Alpine’s testing program, as well as with the simulator in Enstone. I will do my best to quickly reach the right level. In addition, I will do everything I can to achieve the best possible results together with Pierre Gasly.” Flavio Briatore, senior advisor and effectively team boss at Alpine since Tuesday, added: “Because all drivers are so evenly matched this year and our car is indeed competitive, we see the need to change our line-up.”
“We also know that the 2026 season will be important for the team,” Briatore continued. “A full and fair assessment of the drivers is the right step to realize our ambitions for next year.” The question is whether Franco Colapinto can perform better at Alpine than his predecessor. Last year, he made an impression at Williams when he replaced the dismissed Logan Sargeant in the second half of the season. During his second race weekend in Azerbaijan, he already scored points for the team. This sparked the interest of teams like Red Bull and, ultimately, Alpine. However, Colapinto’s market value dropped at the end of the year due to disappointing performances and several unnecessary crashes.
