F1 driver’s management already reaching out to WEC and IndyCar teams as 2026 contract hopes fade

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There are a handful of Formula 1 drivers still hoping to secure a contract renewal for the 2026 season.

The majority of teams on the grid have already confirmed two drivers for the 2026 F1 season, but a few open spots still remain.

The summer break is typically when the F1 driver market sparks into life, but at this stage, it doesn’t look like a single contract renewal or signing is going to be announced ahead of the upcoming Dutch Grand Prix.

George Russell is closing in on a new Mercedes deal after Max Verstappen confirmed he would spend at least one more year with Red Bull.

He’s likely to be joined by Andrea Kimi Antonelli for another season, but there are still several drivers fighting to prove that they deserve to be on the grid next year.

One of the teams that only have one driver locked in for next season is Alpine.

Franco Colapinto is the only active driver on the grid yet to score a point, and his management are already reaching out to teams elsewhere in motorsport to work out if he has options beyond Formula 1.

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

Franco Colapinto’s management reaching out to WEC and IndyCar teams

A report from Formule NL has shared more details about the Argentine’s future.

Since replacing Jack Doohan at Alpine after six Grand Prix, Colapinto has gone through eight race weekends without finishing in the top 10.

At the most recent race in Hungary, Colapinto outqualified teammate Pierre Gasly, but had a tricky race.

Colapinto suffered two horror pit stops, and while he finished ahead of the Frenchman, they were never in contention to score points.

The report suggests that Colapinto’s management are ‘exploring other options’ including in the World Endurance Championship and IndyCar.

The 22-year-old suffered a high-speed crash during a private Pirelli tyre test at the Hungaroring, which would have dented his confidence even further.

Colapinto’s days are said to be ‘numbered’, and while that doesn’t necessarily mean Alpine are looking to replace him immediately, it does cast doubt over whether he’ll be offered a deal for next year.

Alex Jacques believes Alpine must offer Colapinto a longer contract for 2025, in an interview with F1 Oversteer, but beyond this year, his chances look limited.

Colapinto’s management are ‘exploring his options’ with other drivers knocking on Alpine’s door to replace him.

Doohan ‘has never given up on a comeback’ according to the report, and it’s yet to be seen if the likes of Valtteri Bottas might try and force a return to the grid with Flavio Briatore’s team.

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

Alpine have ‘agreed’ who will replace Franco Colapinto if another driver change is needed

Teams are only allowed to run four permanent drivers across a season, meaning that any change on Colapinto’s side of the garage would need to be the right one.

However, there’s a caveat to that as Alpine have already ‘agreed’ Colapinto’s replacement if a change is required.

Despite the availability of highly-rated youngster Paul Aron and the likes of Bottas and Sergio Perez, Alpine would bring back Doohan for another stint in the car if the Argentine can’t turn things around.

There is very little to separate the performance levels of Colapinto and Doohan at this stage.

Making another change doesn’t seem sensible, but then the first swap hasn’t paid off like many within the team hoped, as they sit bottom of the constructors’ championship.