F1 LIVE | Another F1 joint event in 2026? Perez to make sooner than expected comeback?

Franco Colapinto is facing increasing pressure at Alpine after failing to deliver the performances expected of him. Despite replacing Jack Doohan midway through the 2026 season, Colapinto has struggled to match teammate Pierre Gasly and notably crashed at Imola, costing the team both points and money. His results have not justified the decision made by Alpine advisor Flavio Briatore, who had previously pushed to give Colapinto the opportunity.

According to journalist Joe Saward, internal support for Briatore’s leadership at Alpine is limited. While Luca de Meo continues to back him, others at the team reportedly disagree, especially given how Colapinto has fared. Alpine still has both Jack Doohan and Paul Aron available as reserve drivers, but Saward reports that Sergio Perez is now being discussed as a possible replacement for Colapinto, largely due to his experience and potential sponsor backing.

Alpine responded to GPblog by stating these are just rumors without any factual basis. Still, Perez remains a free agent and has also been linked to Cadillac, which will enter Formula 1 in 2026. That leaves the door open for him to explore other options. Although his performance at Red Bull declined toward the end, his results compared to teammates like Tsunoda and Lawson suggest he remains a solid option for a mid-field team looking for stability and sponsorship.

Flavio Briatore will remain in charge at Alpine on an interim basis, as his preferred candidate to take over the day-to-day running of the team has reportedly turned down the offer. Briatore stepped in following Oliver Oakes' departure, but cannot formally take on the team principal role due to lacking the necessary FIA license. That same rule also applies to Nielsen, making any potential appointment unofficial in title, even if functional in practice.

Steve Nielsen, a veteran of several F1 teams including Benetton under Briatore's management, was widely reported to be the frontrunner for the role. His extensive experience across Lotus, Tyrrell, Williams, Toro Rosso, and the FIA made him a logical choice for Alpine’s leadership. Nielsen did not directly confirm turning the job down but told Auto Auction, “It’s always nice to be asked,” which strongly implies he declined the offer.

With Nielsen out of the running, speculation has turned to Christian Horner. GPblog previously reported that Horner has been sidelined from key duties at Red Bull, including driver contract negotiations, and has fallen out of favor with major stakeholders. Though some suggest Alpine could be a possible landing spot for Horner, GPblog understands that Alpine has no current interest in bringing him onboard, despite ongoing instability at the top.