Franco Colapinto, to AM850.com: “I am looking forward to 2026”

ByDavid Mitchell
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The Argentine driver spoke in San Pablo after confirming his continuity in the Alpine team for the next F1 season.

Franco Colapinto enters the Alpine hospitality dressed in the Argentine National Team shirt. A dozen Hispanic journalists, one Spaniard and the rest Argentinians, were waiting for him there. The man from Buenos Aires changes into Alpine team clothes and sits in front of a table. At your side, Sam Mallison, the communications director of the Enstone team. “We are happy to announce Franco as an Alpine driver for 2026,” says the Englishman.

Colapinto is calm. As AM850.com was able to find out, the decision was made since the United States GP. All that was left was the announcement and Brazil was chosen, an important place for the pilot due to its proximity to Argentina and for his main sponsor. Colapinto’s contract is only for 2026, as Alpine confirmed to this medium. The Argentine will be there from the start of the World Cup, scheduled for March 8, and will also participate in the preseason tests, essential for a year that will come with changes in the technical regulations and new cars and engines.

“I am very happy, very happy that everything has been closed. Being in 2026, which will be my first full season of F1 gives me a lot of peace of mind. But it was due to a way of working. I am looking forward to 2026, which will be a better year than 2025. The car is more productive“It has solutions compared to this year’s problems,” says Franco, surrounded by journalists and with all their cell phones recording him on the table that serves as a conference desk.

When asked by AM850.com about whether he would like to be there in 2026 and leave the current A525 in the Enstone museum, Franco responds: “In the museum or somewhere else… The truth is that I am happy to have worked on a car, in the progression, in how it was put together, that they took my opinions. I arrived very late, but I did a lot of simulators at the beginning of the year and that helped me be better this year. Obviously I am looking forward to 2026, but 2025 is a year to continue learning and have all the procedures under control.”

Of course, Colapinto, his teammate Pierre Gasly and everyone in Alpine will try to get water out of the stones in the fateful 2025 and in the four races remaining at the end of the year, including the São Paulo race, they will try to score a few points, a task that seems almost impossible: “I remain focused on finishing as well as possible this year and improving the car’s problems. We are not where we want to be, it is a frustrating season, we all want to improve at Enstone.”

As for 2026, a completely different season for everyone due to the change in regulations, Franco analyzes: “The objective is clear: we are here to win. It is very difficult in F1. We are working to have better results, but the car looks more competitive. We have to wait what happens with the others. The cars will be different and slower than this year’s. We don’t know how the others will be. 2026 will be one of the busiest years due to the change in regulations. But this announcement brings peace of mind to everyone. It is good to know that the two drivers who are working will continue next year.”

Of course, Franco thanked his family and everyone who supported him since he was a child. And he is obviously moved when he sees his sister Martina crying, hugging her mother. For closing, AM850.com asks him if he had ever reached the final stretch of a championship with his next season assured in his career. The fact is that the fight to get a budget always had him on the ropes. “I don’t think so. I’m thinking, but the truth is that before December-January I didn’t know anything. In 2021 I didn’t know. In 2020 with Covid I found out in May. I’m very unaccustomed to these announcements, but they are very welcome and bring peace of mind.”. The meeting ends. Sam points to the clock, It’s time to get ready to take to the track for the first test of the San Pablo GP. And it will be his first official session as a confirmed driver for 2026.

David Mitchell
David Mitchell

As a passionate sports journalist with over a decade of experience, I strive to uncover the heart and soul behind every game. Supported by a dedicated team of fellow enthusiasts and storytellers, I am committed to delivering insightful and engaging content that connects fans worldwide. Together, we celebrate the victories, challenges, and unifying spirit of sports through every article we craft.