Alpine Executive Advisor Flavio Briatore has revealed when the team will decide on its second driver for the 2026 Formula 1 season.
The Enstone-based squad has suffered somewhat from a lack of stability in the occupancy of the seat alongside Pierre Gasly.
Gasly put pen to paper on a new deal over the Italian Grand Prix weekend that runs through 2028, cementing his commitment to the team.
In other car, however, Franco Colapinto has struggled to establish himself as a match for Gasly, having taken over from the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix onwards.
Jack Doohan had the drive initially, but was replaced in favour of the Argentinian, who was given five races to prove himself.
However, Colapinto has been given more time, but he has yet to score a point, with Gasly’s 20 so far the total of the team’s current haul as lies last in the standings.
Briatore has faced questioning regarding the second driver Alpine situation for a number of weeks, and at Monza, Sky Sports F1 broached the topic again.
“No,” the Italian said when asked whether he had made a decision on who Gasly’s 2026 partner will be, but cited Colapinto’s improvements over more recent races.
“For the moment, I believe Franco is doing a good job… he was a bit inexperienced in the beginning, like a lot of the rookies, young drivers.
“Now, in the last three, four races, he’s much more consistent, no mistakes and maybe it’s Franco, maybe we see.
“We have another four or five races to choose and that’s when we’ll see.”
When pressed for a timeframe as to when the decision will be made, Briatore stated it would be before the conclusion of the current F1 campaign.
“It is November we need to make a decision,” he confirmed.
Briatore’s options are shortened in terms of experienced drivers, after Valtteri Bottas, who had been linked, signed for newcomers Cadillac for next season.
Alpine’s highly-rated reserve driver Paul Aron is likely to be high on the shortlist, having completed FP1 outings for the team as well as Sauber this year.
READ MORE – Paul Aron to drive for Alpine in FP1 at Italian GP
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