Franco Colapinto experienced something he’d ‘never’ seen before in his career with Alpine in 2025

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Franco Colapinto’s first full-time assault in Formula 1 did not go to plan as he struggled immensely at Alpine in 2025.

After catching the attention of Flavio Briatore with his debut appearances at Williams in 2024, the Argentine was signed to the Enstone outfit as a reserve driver.

He was then swiftly promoted to a full-time seat after Jack Doohan was dismissed following the Miami GP. Colapinto was expected to improve upon the Aussie’s performances, but he could not get comfortable in the A525.

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 21-year-old finished the season as the only driver not to score points, with Pierre Gasly scoring all of Alpine’s points as they finished bottom of the constructors’ championship.

Briatore debated dropping Colapinto mid-season and replacing him with reserve driver Paul Aron, but he ultimately kept his seat and was retained for the 2026 season. However, it was a truly miserable campaign for the Argentine, who took many lessons from it.

Franco Colapinto admits he ‘never’ felt ‘so incapable’ of driving fast with Alpine in 2025

The A525 proved to be a largely uncompetitive car, with the Renault power unit hampering Gasly and Colapinto. Speaking to Rolling Stone Argentina, the latter admitted that he felt ‘so incapable’ of driving fast, which was a first for his career.

Reflecting on his 2025 season, Colapinto said: “This year, I think it was a very long year. It was a year in which I learned a lot.

“A year in which I had a number of incredible experiences that I didn’t think I would have in my first year in F1 and it was, I think, a very hard lesson in how to control my emotions, how to manage difficult moments.

“It was a tough year for everyone. I think I’ve never had a season where I felt so incapable of going fast, to be where I wanted to be.

“Because in the end, we athletes, I in particular, are very competitive, and when you don’t have the opportunity to fight at the front, to be fighting for points, I had never, ever had a year where I say: ‘I can’t win, I can’t make it to the podium, I can’t fight for a pole position.’

“I always knew that if I did things right and if I worked well with the team, I would be able to. And this year, winning for us would mean adding a point, maybe.”

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

Will Franco Colapinto find his feet at Alpine in 2026?

2026 is a critical season for several drivers and teams. That is true for Alpine and their Argentine star, with Colapinto being under immense pressure to perform next year.

The Enstone outfit will be desperate to improve under the new technical regulations. With Mercedes engines, Alpine could be more competitive in the midfield, but Colapinto also needs to make a step up.

He was considerably beaten by Gasly across 2025 and will need to be much closer to his teammate if he is to stay in the sport beyond 2026.

Damon Hill thinks Colapinto still has to prove himself next year, and it is something that he will have to do if he wants to keep his F1 career alive.