Alpine has made its first decision about Colapinto's future

14:07, 07 Aug

Updated: 14:32, 07 Aug

byLudo van Denderen

With a heavy crash, Franco Colapinto ended the first part of a stormy F1 season. The smash during a tyre test for Pirelli was just another setback for the driver, who is going through a difficult time at Alpine. Nevertheless, he does not have to fear for his place at the moment, as GPblog has learned.

A tenth place in the world championship is not where the - for now - factory team from Alpine belongs. The French racing stable managed to capture only twenty points, all thanks to Pierre Gasly, who gives a stable impression and has established himself as the undisputed team leader of Alpine.

Colapinto can hardly make an impression

In his shadow, Colapinto hardly manages to impress. The Argentine was already an early replacement for Jack Doohan in the season, but crashes, disappointing results and yes, also bad luck, have been fueling speculations about his future at Alpine for some time now.

At the start of the summer break, GPblog understands that Colapinto does not need to fear for his job at the moment. Of course, Alpine wants to finish as high as possible in the championship, and tenth place is not where they'd like to find themselves.

But there is a higher goal, namely 2026 - when the new technical regulations come into play and Alpine, equipped with the Mercedes engine, expects to make a huge leap forward in performance. Within the team, there's even the belief that competing for race victories is realistic. And who knows what else?

Alpine has to make a decision for 2026

The complete focus is on the upcoming year; then, the team wants to be there, with two drivers who will achieve the results that match the status Alpine hopes to have. Pierre Gasly is certainly secure in his position, who will be beside him is uncertain. Franco Colapinto is a candidate, but the Argentinian needs to show some improvement in the coming period.

The former Williams driver gets some time for this improvement, but that surely has its limits. Either way, these are ten exciting final races for Colapinto, in which he can determine his own future.