Overview
- A video filmed by trainer Lucas Benamo shows Franco Colapinto running shirtless in heavy rain in Uruguay, highlighting a notable gain in upper‑body muscle.
- Colapinto is set to rejoin Alpine in Enstone this week and is scheduled to turn laps in the A526 at Barcelona, with private running ahead of the late‑January test block.
- Alpine postponed its initial shakedown, with one outlet attributing the delay to engine‑data timing related to Mercedes power units, a supplier switch reported but not officially confirmed.
- Team boss Steve Nielsen cautioned that Colapinto needs time to mature and convert his pace into points after Alpine finished last in the 2025 constructors’ standings.
- Preseason includes Barcelona testing Jan. 26–30 followed by two Bahrain sessions in February, before the 2026 season opens March 8 in Melbourne under overhauled technical rules.