Franco Colapinto in Baku - Photo: Race Pictures

Colapinto addresses rumors surrounding 2026 Alpine future

21:07, 18 Sep

Updated: 21:28, 18 Sep

byTobia Elia

Franco Colapinto spoke about how he is handling the pressure and the rumors surrounding his Formula 1 future ahead of next year.

Franco Colapinto in Baku - Photo: Race Pictures

“There’s been a lot of rumors, and I don’t really look at them too much”

- Franco Colapinto

When asked whether the rumors of the past few weeks are affecting his ability to focus 100% on driving, the Argentine replied that he is not particularly influenced by them and is solely focused on his performance.

“No, there’s been a lot of rumors, and I don’t really look at them too much. I’m used to it, and it’s just part of the sport — Formula One, any sport is like this, and athletes need to get used to it, I guess.

“I’m just trying to focus race by race and stay focused on my own performance. We haven’t been achieving the results we want as a team, and I’m fully focused on that.”

Colapinto said he has been feeling a bit calmer in recent races, considering the improvement in his performance and results, but he is aware that he cannot control the matter of a potential stay at Alpine in 2026.

“It’s not my thing to decide. I’m just happy with where I am now — happier than before, of course, and working well with the team. That is what I wanted. I’m kind of achieving all the personal aspects or goals that I had since the start, and now I am getting closer to that and achieving them.

Colapinto's recent performances

Colapinto is the only driver, together with Jack Doohan — from whom he inherited the seat starting at the Imola GP — who has yet to score a point this season.

However, the Argentine driver has improved his performance in recent races, achieving a solid eleventh place at Zandvoort, just outside the points.

That race earned him praise from Flavio Briatore, who in previous events had highlighted his negative performance compared to his teammate Pierre Gasly, recently renewed with Alpine.

At Monza, however, he was unable to replicate the Zandvoort result, finishing only seventeenth.

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