Overview
- Formula 1’s official graphic of confirmed 2026 drivers, posted Aug. 11, excludes Franco Colapinto and signals an unfilled Alpine seat.
- Alpine has halted in-season upgrades to channel its budget into its 2026 car and retains only Pierre Gasly under contract for next year.
- Colapinto suffered only minor injuries in a Pirelli tyre test crash at Hungaroring and was discharged before enjoying a summer shutdown highlighted by an F1 social-media nod for 853 career laps.
- Cadillac’s ongoing delay in signing Sergio Pérez adds to driver-market uncertainty, affecting Alpine’s decisions and other team lineups.
- Public reports name Valtteri Bottas and several young drivers—including Felipe Drugovich, Jak Crawford and Alex Dunne—as contenders for Cadillac’s inaugural 2026 seats.