George Russell joins Fernando Alonso on Alpine’s 2027 shortlist but they are not alone

Follow us on Google Discover

Mercedes driver George Russell and Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso have emerged as shock candidates to join Alpine in 2027, as Franco Colapinto’s seat seems to be at risk.

Alpine have enjoyed a big upturn in form so far in 2026, after switching from being a factory Renault engine team to using customer Mercedes power units this term. The Enstone outfit finished last in the 2025 constructors’ standings on 22 points, yet are now fifth on 50 points.

The new F1 regulations introduced this year have also helped Alpine to shoot up the teams’ standings led by Pierre Gasly, who has scored 35 of their points next to Colapinto. Gasly put Alpine on the podium in Monaco, too, after the FIA reinstated his P3 result after an appeal.

Now, Alpine’s form has put them firmly in the conversation for the F1 driver market, leaving Colapinto in an uncertain situation without a guaranteed contract for 2027. Gasly signed an extension to his contract in September, which locked him in at Alpine through at least 2028.

Fernando Alonso is being linked with a shock return to Alpine 😳 Would you like to see a reunion in 2027?

Comment

Like or Comment

Have your say Sign-in now for free

George Russell and Alex Albon join Fernando Alonso on Alpine’s shortlist for 2027 drivers

Aston Martin ace Alonso has emerged as one candidate to replace Colapinto at Alpine from 2027. Reports suggest that the idea of Alonso returning to Alpine in 2027 is gaining traction ahead of his Aston Martin contract expiring this year, but he is not their only possible target.

READ MORE: The best moments of Fernando Alonso’s career in Formula 1

According to PlanetF1, Gasly’s podium in Monaco coming hot off the back of Alpine signing Gucci as their title partner for 2027 has made the Enstone squad such a ‘hot property’ that even Mercedes star Russell and Williams ace Alex Albon now feature on their shopping list.

But while Russell and Albon could appeal to Alpine if they replace Colapinto, Alonso’s links with their executive adviser Flavio Briatore make the two-time F1 champion the most likely option. It would even be a romantic homecoming, after Alonso won his titles with Renault.

Briatore is still Alonso’s manager, despite the Spaniard driving for Aston Martin. The Italian also played a key role in Alpine signing Gucci as their title sponsor for 2027, which is said to be a ‘key element’ fuelling the idea of Alonso returning to Enstone to possibly end his career.

Russell and Albon could both be on the market for 2027 seats, as their respective contracts at Mercedes and Williams might expire at the end of 2026. It has previously been suggested that Albon’s contract ties him to Williams through 2027, but Russell must hit a performance clause during the 2026 season to trigger an automatic extension to his deal with Mercedes.

Speaking in April, Russell confirmed that the clause for 2027 in his contract with Mercedes is tied to his position in the 2026 F1 drivers’ standings. He was confident at the time whilst sat atop the standings that he would “definitely be continuing” with Mercedes in 2027, as well.

However, teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli has since built a 68-point lead over Russell, who also now sits third in the standings after falling two points behind Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari. Red Bull rival Max Verstappen also remains a threat to take Russell’s Mercedes seat in 2027.

Verstappen refuses to publicly commit to Red Bull for 2027 all the while he could break out of his contract if he hits the summer break outside the top two in the standings. Toto Wolff may try to sign Verstappen for Mercedes if the chance arises and Russell’s woes persist, too.