Alpine has decided to bet on stability by extending Franco Colapinto for 2027. Flavio Briatore explains why the Argentine convinced the French team.
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The suspense is over at Alpine. The French team has officially confirmed the extension of Franco Colapinto for the 2027 Formula 1 season. The Argentine will therefore keep his seat alongside Pierre Gasly, offering the team continuity deemed essential by Flavio Briatore.
This announcement also puts an end to speculation about a possible driver change at Enstone. The name of Fernando Alonso had notably circulated for a possible return to the team with which he won his two world titles in 2005 and 2006.
Alpine ultimately preferred to maintain its confidence in Colapinto, convinced by the progress shown by its driver during the season.
Briatore bets above all on stability
Colapinto had secured a full-time seat at Alpine in 2025 replacing Jack Doohan, before being retained for the 2026 season.
Despite some questions about his future, Briatore now considers that the Argentine has all the qualities necessary to continue the journey.
“We are very happy to confirm our driver duo for 2027, with Franco remaining a full-time driver alongside Pierre,” explains Alpine’s executive advisor.
For the Italian, stability is an important element in the team’s rebuilding.
“For me, having continuity is very important.”
By confirming Gasly and Colapinto so early, Alpine thus removes a major source of uncertainty and can focus its resources on its main project: the performance of its car.
Colapinto convinced Alpine in 2026
The extension of Colapinto mainly rewards the progress made by the Argentine driver this season.
Briatore believes he has observed a real evolution in his driving and maturity.
“We have seen Franco truly grow and mature to become an excellent driver this year.”
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Some performances particularly reassured Alpine in its choice.
“His results in Miami and Montreal notably confirmed what I already knew: Franco has his place in Formula 1 and he has his place in this team.”
A particularly strong support from Briatore, who had regularly insisted in the past on the need for his drivers to earn their place through their performances.
Alpine now wants to focus on its car
The team’s sporting situation has also improved. After finishing last in the constructors’ championship in 2025, Alpine currently occupies sixth position and shows a much more encouraging momentum.
But Briatore refuses to consider the choice of drivers as the determining factor to return to the top.
“We are now settled regarding our drivers and, as I have said several times, even if it is an important piece of the puzzle, the most important thing we must succeed in is designing and building a fast car.”
“This remains absolutely our number one priority.”
With its duo now secured, Alpine can therefore devote all its energy to technical development and try to continue its climb up the hierarchy.
The goal remains to bring Alpine back to the front
Briatore does not hide his longer-term ambitions. He now expects Gasly and Colapinto to accompany the team in its progress.
“I expect Franco and Pierre both to continue doing a fantastic job on track and for the whole team to keep pushing relentlessly until we are fighting to win at the front of the grid.”
For Colapinto, this extension is above all an important vote of confidence after several seasons during which his future in F1 has regularly remained uncertain.
Alpine has now made its choice: in 2027, it will still be Gasly and Colapinto. The next step is to provide them with a car capable of realizing the ambitions expressed by Briatore.
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