NY Times: Franco Colapinto tipped as Alpine favourite for 2026 | OneFootball

The future of the second seat at Alpine for 2026 still lacks official confirmation, but in the world of Formula 1, it’s clear that Franco Colapinto is the most deserving candidate. This is also stated in a recent article by The Athletic, the sports section of the prestigious New York Times.

With Pierre Gasly confirmed until 2028, the debate centers on who will join him in the team’s new era, which will feature Mercedes engines instead of Renault as part of a major regulatory overhaul. And, according to journalist Madeline Coleman’s analysis, the Argentine is leading the race.

According to the report, Colapinto has an advantage over Jack Doohan—whom he replaced from Imola onwards—and Paul Aron—the team’s tester. The article also anticipates that the formal decision will not come until November 2025, probably for the Brazilian GP in São Paulo (11/9).

The piece highlights that Colapinto joined the team after his stint with Williams, where he scored points in two of his first four races. It also clarifies that, although his start with Alpine was not ideal, his sporting potential and commercial value keep him as the main candidate.

Furthermore, it mentions that he did not have a preseason, something that undoubtedly affected his adaptation, especially in a car that is not very competitive and currently last in the championship. Even Flavio Briatore, the head of Alpine, has acknowledged that the pressure on the Argentine was excessive.

In one of the most striking statements in the analysis, it says: “Of the three internal candidates, Colapinto seems to be the most likely option for next year at this moment, but he needs to avoid costly accidents, stay close to Gasly in terms of pace, and show signs of improvement.”

Briatore, in an interview with The Race, narrowed the fight down to two names: “It’s between Franco and Paul,” he stated. This weekend will be crucial: Colapinto will get back in the Alpine in Singapore, with the mission of maintaining his advantage and continuing to build his case for the seat.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.