Alpine’s managing director, Steve Nielsen, announced that the team is “a few races away” from finalizing its driver lineup for the 2026 Formula One season. The decision hinges on the performance of Franco Colapinto, who is vying to retain his spot after showing promising results in recent races. Notably, Colapinto has outqualified teammate Pierre Gasly in three of the last four competitions. Gasly recently extended his contract, heightening the stakes for Colapinto.
The team is reportedly considering various internal candidates for 2026, including Colapinto’s predecessor, Jack Doohan, and reserve driver Paul Aron. Should Colapinto fail to make a compelling case for his renewal, these options remain viable for the team.
Nielsen commended Colapinto’s progress, acknowledging that the young driver has matched Gasly’s performance in the past few races. He emphasized the need for additional time to evaluate whether Colapinto’s improving form continues. “It’s difficult for any of the new drivers coming in,” Nielsen said. “Franco had a difficult start, but we’ve seen that equalise and calm down a little bit.”
The managing director’s comments indicated that while Colapinto has demonstrated potential, uncertainty remains regarding how consistently he can produce strong results. “We hope it does continue,” he added, “and then we’ll make our decision on Franco and whoever else is in the frame when we have to.”
Despite the slim chances of a Doohan comeback, Nielsen confirmed that the Australian remains “part of our programme” but refrained from commenting on when he might return to driving duties.
Assessing Alpine’s Current Challenges
Reflecting on his first month leading Alpine’s operations at the Enstone factory, Nielsen likened the experience to returning to an “old school.” He previously held two positions with the team during its iterations as Benetton and Renault. After a stint at Toro Rosso, Nielsen transitioned to a role at Formula One Management in 2017, followed by a brief tenure with the FIA in 2023.
He noted the significant changes in the Formula One landscape, particularly the introduction of the budget cap. “You go back to an old school and bits of it are really familiar but a bit smaller than you remember,” Nielsen explained. “Things like the budget cap didn’t exist the last time I was part of a team. Now it does.”
While Alpine currently occupies the bottom of the championship standings, Nielsen asserted that the team’s performance does not reflect the capabilities of its engineers. “It’s a great place. There’s some fine talent there,” he said. “What we put on the track at the moment doesn’t reflect the skills we have and the facilities we have. It’s our job to turn that around.”
As the team navigates its internal dynamics, the focus remains on developing talent and improving performance ahead of the 2026 season. With key decisions looming, the next few races will be crucial for both Colapinto and the team’s overall trajectory in Formula One.
