Alpine has confirmed its driver line-up for the 2027 Formula 1 season, with Franco Colapinto once again partnering Pierre Gasly.
The Enstone-based squad has seen an upturn in fortunes this season, with a vastly-improved package amid a switch from OEM status to Mercedes power unit customer.
With that, Colapinto has been able to flex his burgeoning muscle behind the wheel, scoring 19 points so far to add to the 44 obtained by his French counterpart.
Having twice taken over from drivers midway through a season, Colapinto has utilised the benefit of a full winter’s preparation, complete with pre-season testing, for the first time.
Despite some questions about his future for 2026, Colapinto has clearly repaid the faith placed in him by Executive Advisor, Flavio Briatore, by taking his performances to the next level.
And – as reported by Motorsport Week earlier this morning – that has secured his place for 2027, a season in which the team begins an exciting new title sponsorship deal with fashion giant Gucci.
“I am very pleased to remain with this team in 2027,” Colapinto said. “I feel very happy and very settled here and it’s been even better that we have made significant progress this year compared to last. We have a lot more milestones to reach and I know the team is working so hard in finding performance and making the car better and better.
“Our long-term goals are obvious – to compete and win – and I am grateful to the team, Flavio and Steve, for the trust placed in me to be one of its drivers going into the future. I’m looking forward to seeing how everything plays out and focusing on my job on-track first and foremost.”
Colapinto ‘belongs in F1’ – Briatore
For Briatore, there appears to be little doubt that Colapinto is the right man for the seat alongside the experienced and proven race-winner Gasly.
“We are very happy to confirm our driver line-up for 2027 with Franco staying as a race driver alongside Pierre,” he said. “For me, having consistency is very important. We are now settled from a driver point of view and I have said many times that, while this is an important piece of the puzzle, the most significant we have to get right is designing and building a fast race car which absolutely remains our number one priority.
“We have seen Franco truly grow and mature into a great driver this year. His results in Miami and Montréal especially confirmed what I already knew: Franco belongs in Formula One and he belongs at this team. I expect both Franco, and Pierre, to continue doing a fantastic job on track and for the entire team to push relentlessly until we are fighting, and winning, at the front end of this sport.”
READ MORE – FIA delivers boost to four F1 manufacturers with ADUO review results
Discussion about this post