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Alpine Confirms Franco Colapinto as 2026 Full-Time Driver

The team presents the renewal as a forward-looking investment in a driver it believes will adapt to the new 2026 technical rules.

Overview

  • Alpine made the confirmation official ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos.
  • Reporting by Los Andes estimates his base pay will rise to about $1.5–$2 million, well below Pierre Gasly’s roughly $10 million and the sport’s top earners.
  • The new deal is reported to include performance-based bonuses, with additional income from personal sponsors.
  • Alpine’s rationale, as reported, cites steady progress in 2025 and preparation for the regulatory reset in 2026.
  • Former drivers Jacques Villeneuve and Davide Valsecchi publicly criticized the decision, with Villeneuve calling Colapinto a pay driver and Valsecchi arguing Leonardo Fornaroli deserved the seat on merit.