Alpine F1’s Franco Colapinto ready to move past a challenging 2025 Formula 1 season as the team prepares for exciting 2026 rules reset.
Alpine endured a difficult and frustrating 2025 F1 season, with the French marque last in the constructors standings. 2025 Alpine Rookie Franco Colapinto also struggled through a difficult year, failing to secure a point having replaced Jack Doohan. Teammate Pierre Gasly on the other hand managed to secure 22 points across the season for the team.
Reflecting on his 2025 season, the young Argentine driver admits it was difficult to keep motivated. Speaking after the season finale in Abu Dhabi, the Alpine driver claims that even when he felt on top of the car, there was still an inherent lack of pace. Despite the negatives however, he spoke fondly of the team’s determination in spite of their struggles.
“Yeah, it’s disappointing.” Colapinto confessed in the print media pen following the F1 Abu Dhabi GP. “And it’s sometimes tricky to keep the motivation when it’s not going well. But to be honest, I’m quite happy that the team kept pushing all the way until the end. We tried our best, but we just didn’t really have the pace.
“Whenever I maximised the car, we were far off. And today was another show of that. So, yeah, I’m going to go back to the factory and prepare next year. It should be a much better one.”
Despite a disheartening first full season in F1, Colapinto remained both positive and realistic ahead of 2026. Sweeping regulation changes for next season will have an impact up and down the grid. Additionally a move away from Renault power units will have a further impact on Alpine and Colapinto.
A move to Mercedes supplied power units and gearboxes may prove crucial for Alpine. The German manufacturer is rumoured to be ahead on engine development. A strong power unit could prove pivotal amidst the uncertainty of the new regulations.
Looking ahead to next season Alpine’s Colapinto shared his excitement at the changes to come. He remained realistic however, noting that the team have plenty of work to do over the winter break. A more competitive showing from Alpine in 2026 may allow the Argentine to recreate his eye-catching Williams F1 performances from 2024.
“I’m excited for that one,” he admitted. “We were excited for next year since the beginning of this one. Now that it’s coming, it’s good news.
“Not the easiest of endings now, but, yeah, we have a lot of work to do.”
