Alpine’s racing director, Steve Nielsen, has expressed confidence in driver Franco Colapinto, describing him as a “slow burner” with the potential to challenge his teammate Pierre Gasly during the upcoming 2026 Formula One season. Despite Colapinto finishing last season without scoring any points, Nielsen believes that the young Argentine’s development will accelerate this year.
Colapinto, who is just 22 years old, faced significant pressure last season as he was the only full-time driver on the grid not to secure any points. Speculation about his future with the team arose, but Alpine chose to retain him, indicating a belief in his long-term potential. Nielsen acknowledged that Colapinto had a challenging start to his career, but he remains optimistic about his ability to improve.
“I think Franco is a talent,” Nielsen stated. “Perhaps he’s developing more slowly than some of the others, but we saw him produce some good races, particularly in comparison to Pierre. Unfortunately, that was our only comparison for some races last year because we were at the back.” He emphasized that with a better car, Colapinto’s true abilities will begin to shine through.
New Regulations and Improved Performance
One of the key factors contributing to Nielsen’s optimism is the significant change in regulations for the 2026 season. The team has moved on from the A525, which had notable issues, to the newly designed A526. This transition is expected to enhance the car’s performance considerably.
Nielsen pointed out that many of the “inherent problems” with the previous model have been addressed. “Drivers can take a lot more kerb now. They’re not complaining about the ride, but I guess that’s because we’re not in the grandfather anymore,” he explained, referring to the older car’s limitations. He believes that with these improvements, Colapinto will be relieved of some of the “big handicaps” that hindered his performance last year.
Colapinto himself has expressed how beneficial this pre-season testing is for him. “It really helps to arrive to race one with all this mileage,” he commented during the recent test in Bahrain. “It’s already like eight races in terms of mileage. So it does help a lot. That’s something I’ve been missing the last year and the year before. So it’s a big step.”
Looking Ahead
Both Nielsen and Colapinto are aware of the challenges that lie ahead but remain committed to making the most of the 2026 season. The support from the team, combined with the new car’s capabilities, positions Colapinto for a more competitive season.
As the Formula One world gears up for the new season, the spotlight will be on Colapinto to see if he can rise to the occasion and establish himself as a formidable competitor alongside his more experienced teammate, Gasly. The upcoming races will be pivotal for Colapinto to demonstrate his growth and potential in the sport.
