Flavio Briatore should already know who his next target is to replace Franco Colapinto in 2027

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Franco Colapinto will be a driver under pressure in 2026 as his Formula 1 career could be in jeopardy.

A lot was expected of the Argentine after he impressed in the final nine races of 2024 with Williams and subsequently earned a move to Alpine.

When he was inevitably thrust into the A525 in place of Jack Doohan after six races in 2025, as Flavio Briatore made it obvious he wanted him in a full-time seat, Colapinto was instantly under pressure. Just like his Australian predecessor, he crumbled.

George Russell and Franco Colapinto were the only F1 drivers to finish every Grand Prix they started in 2025

Has Franco Colapinto improved enough to suggest he can match Pierre Gasly with a Mercedes engine at Alpine in 2026?

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The 22-year-old scored no points in 2025 as Alpine finished bottom of the standings. Teammate Pierre Gasly heroically guided his car to 22 points, while Colapinto languished at the back.

Colapinto could not drive fast in the A525, with the setup and Renault’s underperforming power unit not helping him. But neither did several rookie errors and crashes, which have severely damaged his stock in F1.

Heading into 2026, Colapinto is at risk of losing his seat after the team decided to retain him and Gasly. The pressure is on to redeem himself, especially when Briatore may already know who his next target is.

Flavio Briatore must target Yuki Tsunoda or Leonardo Fornaroli as options to replace Franco Colapinto in 2027

Colapinto may not face much pressure from Enstone’s current pool of drivers. Alpine have parted ways with Doohan as he looks set for Super Formula, leaving Paul Aron as their only real option within the team.

The Estonian has racked up extensive mileage in F1 machinery and has been a regular in FP1 sessions. It was suggested that he could have replaced Colapinto mid-season in 2025, but that never happened.

Aron is arguably deserving of a chance in F1, but as per a report from Autosprint, Briatore ‘might already know where to look next’ if Colapinto underperforms.

The obvious candidate to consider is Yuki Tsunoda. Fresh off leaving Red Bull at the end of 2025, the Japanese driver has a wealth of experience in F1, as well as decent backing from Honda.

In fact, Tsunoda is targeting Alpine for a potential return in 2027, with Haas also being considered. He still has many years left to give in F1, and given his relationship with Gasly, it is a candidate Briatore would be wise to take note of.

Another option is Leonardo Fornaroli, whose junior career is absolutely deserving of a chance in F1. He won the Formula 3 and Formula 2 titles back-to-back in 2024 and 2025, and now finds himself on the sidelines with McLaren in 2026.

The Woking outfit will want to see him get a chance in a seat, and as they currently have Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, Fornaroli’s opportunity may come by looking elsewhere. His talent is something Briatore surely cannot ignore.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Franco Colapinto from F1 stats to height

What Franco Colapinto must do to stay in Formula 1

For Colapinto, his task in 2026 is simple: he must improve on no points and get closer to his teammate Gasly.

There were signs of that in the second half of 2025 as the Argentine edged closer to the Frenchman in qualifying and beat him in four of the last 10 races. It was minimal progress, but it is at least something to build upon.

The reality is that Alpine will be looking to have a much better campaign with the new regulations in place. It could give the team and Colapinto a boost, especially if he is more accustomed to the car.

Alpine’s engine deal with Mercedes could also prove significant, given the rumours that they will be the fastest on the grid in 2026. If Colapinto suddenly has a competitive package, he must deliver in it.