Franco Colapinto secures Alpine Formula 1 race seat for the 2026 season

Franco Colapinto will race full-time for Alpine in the 2026 Formula 1 season, with the team retaining the Argentine after his latest mid-season call-up. He first reached F1 in 2024 when Williams promoted him for the remainder of that campaign. He subsequently joined Alpine as reserve for 2025 and returned to the grid from round seven the following season. Colapinto has 31 Grand Prix entries and 20 career points to date, with a best race finish of sixth.

Colapinto joined the Williams Racing Driver Academy in early 2023 and made his race debut at Monza in 2024, becoming the first Argentine driver to compete in F1 in 23 years. He is also only the second Argentine to drive for Williams, following Carlos Reutemann. Those milestones arrived after steady progress in junior single-seater categories and early mileage with the F1 team.

Williams’ subsequent signing of Carlos Sainz for 2025 left Colapinto without a full-time seat, prompting a move to Alpine in a reserve capacity. His opportunity arrived again from round seven, when he stepped in to replace rookie Jack Doohan. Alpine then retained him for 2026, extending his stint with the Enstone squad.

The continuity gives both driver and team clarity over the medium term. It also maintains momentum from his mid-season promotion, allowing Alpine to evaluate development steps while Colapinto gains further race experience at the highest level.

Career landmarks and Alpine plan

Early steps and first F1 mileage

Colapinto’s pathway featured a switch from the Williams academy to an Alpine reserve role after 2024. He had earlier sampled F1 machinery during a practice outing at the British Grand Prix, experience that preceded his Monza debut. That grounding eased his transition into full race duties when opportunities arose.

Mid-season opportunities and retention

Twice drafted in mid-campaign, Colapinto converted his chances into points finishes and consistent weekend execution. The latest call-up from round seven set the stage for Alpine to keep him in place for 2026, signalling confidence in his trajectory and fit within the team’s structure.

Career statistics and profile

Key numbers to date

According to official F1 statistics, Colapinto has entered 31 Grands Prix and scored 20 career points. His highest race finish is sixth (one time). He has recorded a best grid position of eighth on two occasions, taken no pole positions and stands on zero career podiums. He has four DNFs.

National significance

Colapinto ended a 23-year wait for Argentine representation in Formula 1 with his 2024 Monza debut, following Gastón Mazzacane’s final start in 2001. His elevation also continued the Williams-Argentina connection established by Reutemann.

Attention now turns to consolidating results during the remainder of the current campaign while laying groundwork for 2026, when Colapinto begins his first full season with Alpine.