The 2027 Formula 1 season heralds an exciting new era for the Alpine team, and Motorsport Week understands that the final piece of the puzzle around it is close to being finalised.
The Enstone-based squad has enjoyed a significant upward trajectory this year, having re-emerged as a competitor in the F1 midfield, after a largely uncompetitive 2025.
Amid switching status from manufacturer to Mercedes customer, Alpine has already managed to place 63 points on the board, and currently lies sixth in the Constructors’ Championship, just three behind Racing Bulls in fifth, and 42 ahead of Haas in seventh.
Pierre Gasly, who committed his long-term future to the team towards the back-end of last year, has scored 44 of those points, the remainder being won by teammate Franco Colapinto.
The Argentinian has been watched closely this season, having earned himself a full season after taking the seat from Jack Doohan from Imola onwards last season.
Colapinto’s performances have improved, but speculation has continued to linger as to whether Executive Advisor Flavio Briatore may opt to delve into the driver market for a new partner for Gasly, a driver he recently described as being one of the top six on the grid.
But sources have told Motorsport Week that Alpine and the team’s hierarchy have been impressed with Colapinto’s adaptation to the sport’s new ruleset, and are likely to lock in his services for 2027, following positive talks with his representatives.
Alpine has an exciting future ahead of itself, having announced earlier in the summer a forthcoming title-sponsorship deal with fashion brand Gucci from 2027 onwards, a reminiscent hark back to the team’s earlier guise as Benetton.
And it appears that it will be measuring up Colapinto for apparel, amid the start of the exciting partnership.
‘A lot to work on but much happier’: Colapinto delivers verdict on first full season with Alpine so far
Colapinto’s nous behind the wheel has never been doubted, having originally jumped into F1 with Williams in place of Logan Sergeant, and provided some stern competition for Alex Albon.
His performances across 2025 were placed under the microscope, but towards the end of the season, the gap to Gasly narrowed significantly and was given the vote of confidence to prove himself across a full season for the first time.
Speaking to media ahead of last weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix, Colapinto, when asked by Motorsport Week how he would sum-up the first half of the season, offered a positive viewpoint.
“Much happier, more comfortable, more experienced,” he said. “I think that’s most important, the way that you improve the most and the way that you go forward, learning from all the races that you’ve done. And I think this last part of 25 at this time of the year was very good, the way I kept learning and improving with a pretty difficult car. And I feel in other places here more comfortable.
“I think still, of course, needing to work in a lot of areas, like every driver, and especially my first full year, so I think I have a lot to still improve and work on.
“But yeah, quite happy, I think, with the improvement, with how I feel with the team, with the car.”
If Alpine green-light the former Formula 2 driver’s place in the team with Gasly next season, Colapinto has a further chance to continue the honing of his talent for another season.
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