Briatore considers three alternatives to Colapinto for Alpine F1 in 2026
There are only a few free spots left for the 2026 grid in Formula 1, but one of them is currently occupied by Franco Colapinto at Alpine. Flavio Briatore has, for now, a list of three alternatives to the Argentine driver.
Franco Colapinto will have to give his best in the upcoming races to fully convince Flavio Briatore that he deserves to continue at Alpine in 2026. We have already told you that the Argentine driver is convincing the team's executive advisor in the last races, but not enough to secure his position yet.
It is not surprising, therefore, that Flavio Briatore is exploring options throughout the paddock, in case he ultimately decides to part ways with Colapinto. The problem for the Italian is that there are not many experienced options left after Cadillac signed Pérez and Bottas.
This is one of Colapinto's advantages, as although he has very little experience in Formula 1, he at least knows the team and, with the new regulations coming into effect next year, he would not have to go through the adaptation process to a new environment like other candidates would.
For now, Franco Colapinto still depends on himself to continue at Alpine
Three alternatives to Colapinto
According to reports the Japanese portal Autosport-web, the list of alternatives to Colapinto that Flavio Briatore is considering consists of three drivers with varying experience.
The first is Alex Dunne, current reserve driver for McLaren who debuted in Formula 2 this year with Rodin Motosport. The Irishman is fifth in the overall standings and has already participated in two free practice sessions with McLaren, but he has a major problem: the long-term contracts of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing, wants to keep Dunne on his radar at least until the first's contract ends in 2027, so he would be willing to loan him to Alpine for a couple of seasons. Letting him go completely, as happened with Gabriel Bortoleto and Sauber/Audi, is out of the question.
Briatore is attracted to Dunne, but his inexperience poses a significant drawback after the difficulties faced by Jack Doohan and Colapinto himself. For now, Dunne is expected to join Paul Aaron and Arjun Maini in the private TPC tests (with cars at least two years old) to be evaluated by the engineers.
Options at Aston Martin and Ferrari
The second option, somewhat more experienced, is Felipe Drugovich. Although he has been close to debuting in Formula 1 on several occasions as a replacement for Lance Stroll or Fernando Alonso, that has not happened yet.
At least he has several years of experience as a test driver, being close to signing with Cadillac. Looking ahead to 2026, Drugovich wants to compete full-time, whether in Formula 1, Formula E, or WEC, so remaining exclusively as a reserve and development driver at Aston Martin is not something that appeals to the Brazilian.
Finally, Flavio Briatore has also shown interest in Zhou Guanyu, a Chinese driver who competed with Sauber for three seasons and knows Alpine well, as he was part of their young talent program and also served as the team's reserve in 2021.
Zhou, currently a reserve at Ferrari and who does not consider competing in other categories, did not fully convince during his time as a full-time driver in Formula 1, but he has experience and also a potentially significant backing: the Chinese automotive group Geely, which is still considering investing in the top category.
In any case, for now, Franco Colapinto still depends on himself to continue at Alpine. If he performs satisfactorily in the upcoming races, he will accompany Pierre Gasly in 2026. Otherwise, Dunne, Drugovich, or Zhou will become the priority.
Fuente: As-web.jp
