New Alpine Managing Director Steve Nielsen has hinted that a decision on the team’s second driver for the 2026 Formula 1 team is not too far away.
The Enstone-based squad has lacked stability both on and off the track in 2025, with Pierre Gasly flying the flag by taking all of its 20 points amassed so far this season.
Gasly has been the only constant, with Team Principal Ollie Oakes swiftly resigning after the Miami Grand Prix, which also marked the final race for Jack Doohan.
The Australian was ousted in favour of recently-signed reservist Franco Colapinto, but, like Doohan, has largely been in the Frenchman’s shadow.
But a recent upturn in form for the Argentinian has seen him largely match Gasly on pure pace, giving interim boss and Executive Director Flavio Briatore a tough decision.
The charismatic Italian has already stated that Colapinto and reserve driver, Estonian Paul Aron, are the only two men in contention to partner Gasly next season.
Speaking ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix, Nielsen, who began his role in September, showed sympathy for Colapinto, a driver who, like many this year, made the step up from Formula 2.
“I think it’s difficult for any of the new drivers coming in,” he told media including Motorsport Week.
“We’ve seen ebb and flow in lots of them that have come from F2 – five came from F2 last year, which is good.
“Franco had a difficult start. I think we’ve seen that equalise and calm down a little bit.
“He’s now had the measure of Pierre in the last two or three races. So he’s on a par with him, which is good.”
Colapinto upturn has arrived at the right tim
Nielsen indicated that he is pleased with the progress Colapinto, who impressed in his end-of-season outings with Williams in 2024, has made.
Meanwhile, he hinted that a decision will be made before the end of the current season.
“We don’t know where that slope will end – whether it’s going to continue,” Nielsen said of Colapinto’s newfound competitiveness. “We hope it does.
“And then we’ll make our decision on Franco and whoever else is in the frame when we have to. But we’re a few races away from that yet.”
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