Alpine locks in Colapinto for 2027, pairing him with Gasly
Alpine confirmed Thursday that Franco Colapinto will stay with the team for the 2027 Formula 1 season, completing its driver lineup alongside Pierre Gasly. The 23-year-old joined Alpine as a reserve in 2025 and stepped into a race seat six races later, scoring points in six of 12 races this year with a best finish of sixth at the Canadian Grand Prix. Team advisor Flavio Briatore praised Colapinto's growth and emphasized the priority of building a faster car.
Colapinto's path to a confirmed 2027 seat follows a turbulent introduction to Formula 1. After replacing Logan Sargeant at Williams in 2024, he showed flashes of speed that attracted Red Bull's attention but also endured several late-season collisions. His move to Alpine as a reserve in 2025 led to a mid-year promotion when Jack Doohan was dropped, though he scored no points in that partial campaign.
The Argentine's 2026 resurgence coincides with Alpine's broader recovery. The team's switch to Mercedes power units has lifted it to sixth in the constructors' standings after finishing last in 2025. Colapinto's popularity in Argentina was underscored by a Buenos Aires show run that drew an estimated 600,000 spectators, making him a significant commercial asset alongside his on-track progress.
This confirmation could strengthen Formula 1's growing appeal in Latin America, where Colapinto's Argentine fanbase has already demonstrated substantial engagement through record crowds at promotional events. His continued presence alongside Gasly may also signal stability for Alpine as it rebuilds competitiveness, potentially influencing sponsor interest and merchandise revenue. For fans, the announcement provides clarity on the 2027 grid, though its broader societal impact remains limited to sporting enthusiasm rather than wider cultural or economic shifts.