The 2026 F1 grid is continuing to take shape, with a new announcement imminent. Franco Colapinto is reportedly set to re-sign with Alpine for the 2026 campaign, bringing an end to speculation regarding the seat alongside Pierre Gasly.
The Frenchman himself signed a new deal just a few months ago. In early September, Gasly penned a contract extension that will see him drive for Team Enstone until the end of 2028, marking him out as the long-term team leader for Flavio Briatore's squad.
Until now, the seat next to him has been a mystery. Initially, it was held by Jack Doohan. The Australian racer made his debut at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix last year, but even before his first start of the 2025 campaign, there were reports that he would be dropped early in the season.
Despite being denied by both team and driver, Doohan was axed ahead of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix to make room for Colapinto. It was hoped that the 22-year-old, who dazzled for Williams after ousting Logan Sargeant in 2024, could get the second Alpine car on the scoreboard and contribute to an ailing Constructors' Championship fight.
That did not transpire. After 13 starts (and a DNS at Silverstone), Colapinto remains pointless like his predecessor. Yet, according to a report from Motorsport.com, the Pilar-born racer is heading for a contract extension, with confirmation expected before the Brazilian Grand Prix.
When Colapinto was confirmed as Doohan's replacement, Briatore revealed it to be a five-race deal, with the plan being to assess the options within the Alpine stable before making a decision for the new technical regulations in 2026 and beyond.
Given Colapinto's commercial appeal and known talent, Alpine's decision to prepare a contract is an understandable one, but it's also a premature one. After all, Briatore and Steve Nielsen have passed up the opportunity to test out Paul Aron for a race seat.
The Estonian prospect has been waiting patiently on the sidelines as a test and reserve driver this season, impressing in FP1 outings for both Sauber and Alpine. If Briatore was keen to test out his driver stable, surely the 21-year-old warranted a run of starts before the end of the 2025 campaign.
After all, the stakes are now low for Team Enstone. Gasly's individual haul means that Alpine are 40 points behind ninth-placed Sauber in the Constructors' Championship standings, and with no top-10 finishes in their last seven Grands Prix, that fact is showing no signs of changing.
So, Colapinto is Alpine's man, and the Argentine prodigy with a wealth of talent and a fearless approach may still come good for Briatore's squad. Still, if 2026 starts where 2025 is leaving off, the wily Italian may well come to regret passing up the opportunity to give Aron his deserved audition.