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SAO PAULO :Argentine driver Franco Colapinto will continue alongside experienced Frenchman Pierre Gasly at Alpine next season, the Renault-owned Formula One team announced at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix on Friday.
While race-winner Gasly has a contract to the end of 2028, Colapinto's future had remained uncertain while the team assessed their options with Estonian Paul Aron also considered.
The 22-year-old Colapinto, who replaced Australian rookie Jack Doohan after the first six races of the season, remains the only driver on the starting grid yet to score a point in 2025.
"Ever since I made my Formula One debut, I knew, given the circumstances at play, it would be a huge challenge to keep my place in this sport," the Argentine said in a team statement ahead of practice at Interlagos.
"It has been a long and tough road, and I am very proud for the opportunity to drive with this team again in 2026, alongside Pierre, who has been a great team-mate and will undoubtedly be someone I can continue to learn from."
CLEAR INDICATION OF COMMITMENT FROM TEAM
Flavio Briatore, the executive advisor and former principal who effectively runs the team, said he always believed Colapinto had the potential to be a top driver even if others were less sure.
"Our decision to continue together for 2026 is a clear indication of our commitment and strong support for Franco as he develops as a race driver," he added.
"It has been a tough year for the whole team, and it hasn't been the easiest scenario to perform in, however both Franco and Pierre have done their best to help put the team in the best possible position for next season."
Alpine are last in the 10-team standings with only 20 points from as many races, having stopped development of their car some time ago to focus on 2026 when the sport faces a major engine and rule change.
The British-based team will also be switching from less competitive Renault engines to Mercedes power units next season.
Alpine were champions in their former guises of Benetton and Renault and are on a mission to return to the top.
In an interview with Briatore said Colapinto was 'a little bit lost" when he joined Alpine as reserve on a multi-year deal after nine races with Williams last year as a replacement for dropped American Logan Sargeant.
Colapinto, who has racked up several costly crashes but has big financial and fan support, has been more competitive in recent qualifying against his teammate but the car lacks the performance to challenge for points in normal conditions.
"If you see Franco in the beginning when he started racing with us and you see him now, he's a different person," said the Italian.
"He's much more secure, has much more commitment with engineering and he's done everything to be performing. He spends a lot of time to understand better the car.
"In the last two or three races, the performance of the team is still no good at all but the performance of Franco was very good."
