​From the official confirmation of Franco Colapinto’s Alpine contract extension for the 2027 season to Valtteri Bottas’ reaction to Graeme Lowdon’s unexpected departure as Cadillac team principal, we take a look at the biggest Formula 1 news stories from Thursday, 27 August. Alpine locks in Colapinto for 2027 as Briatore opts for continuityAlpine have confirmed that Franco Colapinto will remain with the team for the 2027 Formula 1 season, completing an unchanged driver line-up alongside Pierre Gasly. The announcement gives the Argentine another opportunity to continue establishing himself in F1 after first entering the grid with Williams during the 2024 campaign.Colapinto moved to Alpine as a reserve driver in 2025 before being promoted to a race seat in place of Jack Doohan midway through the season. After retaining his place for 2026, his performances this year have now convinced the French outfit to extend the partnership once again. Colapinto believes the progress made by both himself and the team has strengthened his confidence in the project, with Alpine’s long-term ambition remaining to return to the fight for victories.Flavio Briatore highlighted continuity as an important factor behind the decision, while making clear that producing a genuinely competitive car remains Alpine’s biggest priority. The Italian has been particularly encouraged by Colapinto’s development and performances in Miami and Montreal, which reinforced the team’s belief that he deserves his place in Formula 1. With both Colapinto and Gasly now confirmed, Alpine can turn its full attention towards closing the gap to the front.Photo: Race PicturesPhoto: Race PicturesBottas gives a telling response to the sudden Cadillac dismissalValtteri Bottas has admitted that Graeme Lowdon’s departure from Cadillac caught him by surprise, even though he accepts that changes were needed to prevent the team from stagnating. The Finn, who considers Lowdon a friend, praised the former team principal for the role he played in building the operation and getting Cadillac onto the Formula 1 grid.Speaking to GPblog and others, Bottas explained that Cadillac CEO Dan Towriss and other senior figures subsequently outlined the reasoning behind the decision. While he respects the team’s choice, Bottas acknowledged that maintaining the status quo would not have been enough to address recurring problems and move the project forward.However, Bottas stopped short of explicitly saying that he agreed with Lowdon’s dismissal. When pressed on the distinction between respecting and supporting the decision, the Cadillac driver took a moment before reiterating only that he respected it. He suggested that the true impact of such a significant leadership change can only be judged with time, refusing to predict whether Cadillac’s decision will ultimately prove successful.