Alpine have privately noticed something about Franco Colapinto that could determine his F1 future

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Alpine driver Franco Colapinto has started to show glimpses of the potential that earned him a temporary race seat at Williams last year.

Williams decided to drop Logan Sargeant after the 2024 Dutch Grand Prix, and despite multiple, more experienced candidates being in the mix, team principal James Vowles decided to promote Franco Colapinto.

Colapinto was in the middle of a decent Formula 2 campaign when he made his debut at last year’s Italian Grand Prix, and after nine races, the Argentinian scored five points alongside Alex Albon.

Williams had already committed to Albon and Carlos Sainz for the 2025 F1 season, leaving Colapinto open to joining Alpine as a reserve driver for the current campaign.

Jack Doohan’s stint in the car lasted just six races before he was replaced by the 22-year-old; however, Colapinto is yet to get off the mark after 10 race weekends with the team.

Alpine have yet to confirm who will be racing alongside Pierre Gasly in 2026, with Paul Aron making a strong impression behind the scenes.

However, there have been recent signs of progress, and Alpine staff are beginning to take notice of the Argentinian’s improved performances when compared to Gasly.

READ MORE: Who is Alpine 2025 F1 driver Franco Colapinto? Everything you need to know

Alpine staff are privately noticing Franco Colapinto’s improvement ahead of 2026 contract decision

Journalist Edd Straw was reviewing the Italian Grand Prix on The Race’s Patreon, and when discussing Colapinto, he explained: “I really do hope that Colapinto has a big result soon because he’s been coming on nicely.

“I would love him to stay on the grid next year. I think it’s great for Formula 1 to have an Argentinian driver.

“I think it’s brilliant, there’s a great history of Argentinian drivers, and it’s been a long time since we’ve had one.

“So, I really, really hope, and it’s great that Argentina’s getting behind him as well because that’s good for Formula 1 and it’s good for Franco.

“Alpine can always do better, but what does it matter if you’re finishing 16th and 17th, and Franco has made his point.

“And speaking to people at the team, they are noticing it, so that’s good.”

READ MORE: All you need to know about Alpine F1 Team from team principal to lineage

Who are the other options available to Alpine if they decide to replace Franco Colapinto in 2026?

The F1 driver market hasn’t been particularly exciting this season, especially with Max Verstappen committing his future to Red Bull for one more year, which could have opened up a host of opportunities up and down the paddock.

Mercedes look set to continue with George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli, while Red Bull still need to confirm who Verstappen’s teammate will be next season, and what to do with both Racing Bulls’ seats.

It leaves Alpine’s second seat as the final available spot on the grid, which is why Colapinto’s improving performances have been so important.

He outqualified Gasly at Monza and was less than a second away from scoring his first point at Zandvoort, which, considering Alpine have the slowest car on the grid, deserves plenty of credit.

Alpine were interested in Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez, but both drivers have now been confirmed by Cadillac for 2026.

Doohan and Aron are still on Alpine’s books if they wish to promote from within, while Mick Schumacher is involved in the team’s WEC program and is looking for a way back into F1.

Alpine could be interested in whichever Red Bull-backed driver misses out next year, should they decide to promote Arvid Lindblad from F2.

However, the signs are starting to look more encouraging that Colapinto will remain on the grid for another year.