Colapinto extends Alpine F1 deal into 2026

Franco Colapinto has today announced a new contract to stay with Alpine into the 2026 Formula 1 season, having returned to the grid earlier in 2025.

Colapinto, 22, burst onto the scene with Williams in 2024 as a mid season replacement, promoted from his Formula 2 campaign to replace Logan Sargeant.

The Argentine made nine outings for Williams, coping admirably despite several crashes, and immediately caught the eye of teams in the paddock with his performances, with rumours linking him to Red Bull’s setup before he opted to take a reserve role with Alpine for 2025.

📸 Colapinto with Williams.

Alpine’s decision to drop Jack Doohan after six rounds benefitted Colapinto who remains pointless for Alpine as the team have struggled to impact high up the grid.

Nonetheless, Alpine have opted for Colapinto over Paul Aron for 2026 as the French team prepare to usher in a new era with Mercedes engines.

📸 Colapinto goes wheel to wheel with teammate Pierre Gasly at the US Grand Prix.

Speaking on Colapinto’s recent performances, Flávio Briatore: "If you see Franco in the beginning when he started racing with us and you see him now, he's a different person. He's much more secure, has much more commitment with engineering and he's done everything to be performing. He spends a lot of time to understand better the car.

"In the last two or three races, the performance of the team is still no good at all, but the performance of Franco was very good."

The announcement comes on the weekend of the Brazilian/Sao Paulo Grand Prix, the closest event to Colapinto’s home of Argentina.

📸 Image credits: Formula Motorsport Limited.