Alpine Racing’s sporting director, Steve Nielsen, has expressed confidence in Franco Colapinto, describing the young Argentine as a “slow burner” who is poised to challenge his more experienced teammate, Pierre Gasly, in the upcoming 2026 Formula 1 season. Despite Colapinto’s struggles last season, where he failed to secure any points, Nielsen believes the 22-year-old has the potential to improve significantly.
Colapinto, who faced scrutiny for not scoring in his rookie year, remains under pressure as the only full-time driver on the 2026 grid without a point to his name. Nonetheless, Alpine’s decision to retain him signals their commitment to his development. Nielsen acknowledged that while Colapinto’s performance did not meet expectations initially, he sees promise in the driver’s abilities and gradual progress.
“Franco is a talent, and I think that he’s developing more slowly than some of the others,” Nielsen remarked. “We saw him produce some good races last year, particularly in comparison to Pierre, but unfortunately, that was our only comparison for some races. I think Franco will get better with time, and with a more competitive car, we’ll see the best of him.”
Regulatory changes have played a significant role in Alpine’s strategy for the new season. The team has transitioned from the problematic A525 to the A526, which they anticipate will enhance performance on the track. Nielsen noted that the previous car had “inherent problems,” but the new model has addressed those issues, allowing for improved handling and driver comfort.
“It’s no secret that last year’s car had some inherent problems. We’ve absolutely fixed some of those with this car,” Nielsen explained. “Drivers can take a lot more kerb now, and they’re not complaining about the ride. Some of those big handicaps are fixed.”
Colapinto himself is optimistic about the upcoming season, having completed extensive pre-season testing. He highlighted the importance of accumulating mileage ahead of the first race. “It really helps to arrive at race one with all this mileage,” he stated during the Bahrain test. “I’m much closer to what the other guys have been learning, and I think I’ve already covered about eight races in terms of mileage. That’s a big step forward for me.”
The upcoming season promises to be pivotal for both Colapinto and Alpine Racing as they aim to improve their standings in the competitive world of Formula 1. With a renewed car and the backing of his team, Colapinto will strive to prove himself against Gasly and the rest of the grid. As the 2026 season approaches, all eyes will be on the young driver to see if he can fulfill his potential and elevate his performance on the international stage.
