​Alpine team principal Steve Nielsen has been clear that Franco Colapinto’s future with the squad beyond 2026 will be determined on merit, noting that Colapinto’s current contract runs out at the end of this year. Colapinto has contributed 18 of Alpine’s 60 constructors’ points this season, with Racing Bulls now just a point behind Alpine in fifth place. Nielsen pointed to Colapinto’s improved consistency in races and his growing ability to match team-mate Pierre Gasly’s pace as evidence of progress since last season.
Colapinto’s Alpine tenure remains unresolved, and Nielsen did not pretend otherwise when queried at Silverstone. “Well, everybody wants more,” the 23-year-old Argentine’s evaluation was straightforward. His verdict: Colapinto is improving, and the decision about 2027 will be made on merit as the season unfolds. The emphasis remains on performance; a strong 2026 does not guarantee a seat automatically, but it buys him a continued chance to argue his case deeper into the year.
Colapinto’s path back to a race seat has not been straightforward. He had a nine-race stint with Williams in 2024 before joining Alpine early last season to replace Jack Doohan. He endured a challenging 2025 campaign with no points, yet Alpine retained him for 2026, a decision now weighed against his results this year. Keeping a driver who had gone without points is never taken lightly, and Colapinto was given this season to prove that the faith was justified rather than a long ramp-up to settling in gradually.
This season has seen both driver and team establish a firmer footing. Alpine sit fifth in the Constructors’ Championship on 60 points, with Gasly, who holds a multi-year deal, responsible for 42 of them. Colapinto has contributed the remaining 18, having scored on five occasions after failing to score in his rookie year.
During the British Grand Prix weekend, Nielsen was questioned directly about whether Colapinto has done enough to warrant staying at Alpine beyond this year, given Gasly’s seat is secured while the second seat remains open to competition. “I think Franco is a driver that has been a slow starter, dare I say it,” Nielsen remarked. “He’s getting better. He’s produced some good runs this year already. Miami was good. China was good. He’s improving.”
“So I think he’s there on merit and when the time comes, we’ll make the decisions. If he’s good enough, he’ll stay, and if he’s not, then there’s a better option. That’s just Formula 1.” Nielsen made no effort to soften the message or cushion the terms for better searchability; the stance was plain: performance will dictate Colapinto’s future at Alpine, and the door remains open only if he earns it through results.