Is Colapinto's career in jeopardy? Alpine is evaluating his future in Formula 1

Franco Colapinto’s Formula 1 future at Alpine is increasingly uncertain as performance gaps, narrative pressure, and contract timing converge during the 2026 season.

Performance gap raises questions at Enstone

Sam Bird summarised the competitive picture starkly, saying Colapinto is being “slaughtered” by Gasly, with the Frenchman establishing a decisive advantage with the Mercedes power unit.

Contract pressure and the risk of early exit

With Colapinto’s contract expiring at the end of 2026, the pressure is mounting. Guenther Steiner has suggested that if results do not improve, Colapinto could even be vulnerable to a mid-season exit.

That pressure is not confined to lap times. Alpine is also wary of the broader narrative forming around its young driver, particularly as qualifying struggles continue to dominate the conversation.

Alpine’s narrative problem

Journalist Scott Mitchell-Malm addressed this issue on The Race F1 Podcast, highlighting how the ongoing qualifying deficit could evolve into a deeper problem for the team.

“I just think, the way Alpine’s looking at it, you’re just going to have a bit of a doubt about whether or not this qualifying deficit can be eradicated,” he said.

Mitchell-Malm stressed that grid position remains critical despite changes in racing dynamics.

“Grid position is still massively important, track position is still massively important,” he added. “And there will come a point where the, ‘Oh, if only this had happened, it would have been a slightly better result’, the patience’s going to wear out for that.”

He also pointed to Alpine’s decision to issue a public statement following Japan as evidence of growing concern.

“If the team has to deal with this massive narrative around Colapinto too often, that will ultimately count against him if it gets to a point of a near 50/50 decision on whether to keep him or replace him.”

Replacement options begin to surface

As doubts persist, external alternatives are already being discussed. Jon Noble raised the possibility of Alpine targeting a Williams driver, with Alex Albon emerging as the more plausible option.

“If you’re looking at hard, fast results, what’s a team that seems to be pushing forwards?” Noble said. “Which power unit do you want to have underneath you, what can have decent potential? I think Albon does make a lot of sense.”

Internal candidates unlikely to step up

Alpine also has internal options, including recent arrival Alex Dunne and reserve driver Paul Aron. However, Mitchell-Malm does not see either as a realistic replacement if Colapinto were to be dropped.

“I don’t think Alex Dunne or Paul Aron will likely take any vacancy that arises should they get rid of Colapinto,” he explained.

While Aron is viewed as better positioned due to his reserve role and FP1 and private testing mileage, Mitchell-Malm suggested Alpine would prefer a proven quantity.

“I think Dunne’s too much of a wildcard,” he added. “There’s a driver with loads of ability there, but he’s too rough. There’s a bit of a worry that he doesn’t learn the lessons that he needs to.”

A season that could define Colapinto’s career

For Colapinto, the equation is becoming increasingly clear. With a visible qualifying deficit, an expiring contract, and mounting scrutiny both on and off the track, the remainder of the 2026 season could determine whether his Alpine tenure continues — or comes to an abrupt end.