BREAKING: Franco Colapinto SECURES ALPINE F1 SEAT for 2026!

Alpine has teased a major change for 2026: Franco Colapinto is set to drive for the team. The tease appeared on the Media Day of the Brazil Grand Prix as an Instagram post, and while the official team announcement had not been released at the time I recorded this, the pieces are in place and it is clear this move will be confirmed. Franco stepped into the Alpine during round seven this year, surprising many, but sources say the decision to swap Jack Doohan for Colapinto was actually made in Abu Dhabi last year.

How the deal came together and the role of sponsorship

This move is about far more than raw talent alone. Colapinto arrives with substantial commercial backing. Argentinian e-commerce giant Mercado Libre is reported to be the key financial partner in this deal, believed to be contributing roughly US$30 million a year and taking naming rights. In Formula 1, money talks, and that level of backing significantly influences driver and team decisions.

There is always nuance with these figures. Teams sometimes describe reported numbers as estimates or “slightly less” than press speculation, but the headline is the same: a major Latin American corporate partner has aligned behind Colapinto and Alpine. That kind of commitment helps secure a seat for a young driver and gives Alpine a clear commercial path into Argentina and wider South America.

What happens to Jack Doohan and Paul Aron?

The human fallout of a reshuffle like this is rarely simple. Alpine signed Jack Doohan to a three-year contract, yet he only drove the car in six races. With two-plus years remaining on his deal, it is expected Doohan will be financially compensated for the remainder of his contract. Contracts in F1 are robust, and teams rarely terminate without settlement.

Paul Aron’s situation is harder. He had been led to believe he was a genuine contender for the second Alpine seat in 2026. The decision to go with Colapinto effectively closes that door for Aron and has left him devastated. These moments underline how quickly career trajectories can pivot in motorsport; talent and timing are both critical, but commercial backing and team strategy can tilt the balance.

Fan impact and expectations

Colapinto has a passionate Argentinian following. Many fans have travelled from Argentina specifically to support him at this race; airlines added a dozen extra flights this weekend to accommodate the influx. There’s a bittersweet line in the coverage: Colapinto remains the only current driver on the grid without a championship point this year. But with the Alpine seat likely secured, he now has 28 more weekends to change that statistic and prove the decision on track.

Logistics and the Las Vegas wildcard

Off-track issues could ripple into the calendar. In the run-up to the Las Vegas race, roughly 10 percent of flights into and out of several major airports, including Las Vegas and Los Angeles, were cut. The cuts stem from workforce and pay disputes that have left staff shortages among TSA officers and air traffic controllers. That combination raises clear concerns for teams, fans, and freight operators alike.

I reached out to DHL about potential cargo implications for items coming from Brazil to Las Vegas. Their response was cautious: they could not confirm that freight would be unaffected and flagged that flights into LAX may be particularly difficult. If you are travelling, or if your tickets or freight depend on these routes, check with your carrier as the race approaches. Disruption at this scale can create bottlenecks for paddock freight and for supporters trying to get to the track.

Paddock life in São Paulo: fashion, gestures and oddities

Brazilian Grand Prix weekends always bring color, and Media Day in São Paulo was no different. Charles Leclerc made a notable appearance in the paddock fresh from announcing his engagement to his partner Alexandra Saint Mleux. That kind of personal news livens up the paddock and brings fans and media curiosity in equal measure.

Lando Norris arrived by helicopter, sporting a Walker and Hunt jumper — a label described online as crafting clothes “for contemporary gentlemen.” It fit him perfectly: young, stylish and unmistakably Lando. There were some great visual moments too: Michael from Bell Helmets showed me a helmet design that he swears looks like Valtteri Bottas. Take a look and tell me who you see.

Lewis Hamilton, who some fans expected to be in a tribute outfit to Ayrton Senna, instead turned up in Ferrari kit this day — a look that caught many eyes. Sebastian Vettel was in the paddock promoting his F1REST project and signing helmets. Clever fans dangled helmets from balconies and bridges to get signatures, a tactic I’ve seen before at COTA in Austin and it never fails to deliver great paddock theatre.

Team dinners, routines and rituals

Oscar Piastri treated 20 of his mechanics to dinner at a local barbeque joint — a tighter, more understated outing compared to Ferrari’s full-team show at the same spot. Max Verstappen planned to take his crew out that evening as a thank you for another season of intense work. These small gestures matter; the season’s long hours and travel take a toll, and a meal out can be an important nod to team solidarity.

Samba, style and stranded drivers

No Brazilian race would be complete without samba. Sparkly samba dancers greeted team members at the paddock entrance, and Pierre Gasly enjoyed a drums-and-dance welcome. He arrived with his girlfriend Kika and was wearing a striking pair of Louis Vuitton jeans — a light-hearted fashion moment that generated smiles. I asked him about the brand and his answer was simple: yes, they were Louis Vuitton, but styled to be low-key rather than over the top.

Not every arrival went smoothly. Yuki Tsunoda landed and for a while looked bewildered, wandering the terminal until he eventually rejoined his crew. These little human moments break up the constant machine of a race weekend and remind you these are people juggling travel schedules like the rest of us.

Local culture meets motorsport: art, history and heritage

V-CARB commissioned Marie, a local São Paulo street artist, to transform a plain wall into a striking mural as part of a wider program celebrating local street art culture. Teams bringing local artists into the paddock adds depth to the event and creates connections between the global spectacle of F1 and the host city.

I also had the privilege of visiting the Ayrton Senna Institute, a remarkable tribute to Brazil’s icon. On display is Ayrton Senna’s 1990 McLaren, the car he won the title in, the sixth chassis in the series. Senna had made a bet with Ron Dennis: if he won the Italian Grand Prix he would keep the car. He won, and that McLaren found its way to Brazil. The team at the Institute tells me the car is in running condition with a Honda engine and has been maintained to the point where it could be run if ever desired. Valuing such a car is difficult, but we discussed a minimum figure of US$10 million.

The Senna Institute is more than memorabilia. Over the last 30 years the organization has delivered more than 39 million services focused on public education across Brazil, and Senna Brands manages the commercial and experiential aspects of the legacy.

Legends, merchandising and a Lincoln Park hoodie

Bernie Ecclestone, who turned 95 recently, was in the paddock and spent some time chatting with Fred Vasseur. Seeing figures from the sport’s past still mobile, observant and engaged is always a highlight. On a lighter note, Lincoln Park are playing a trackside concert and I picked up a collaboration hoodie they made with F1. It was a useful bit of kit after losing my previous one in the media centre in Mexico City.

Books, sales and what’s hot off the shelves

It is worth noting the wider media ecosystem around the sport. Ted Kravitz’s book is doing well, but Susie Wolff’s book entered the Times top 10 nonfiction list at number 6, selling an impressive 5,400 copies in a week. For context, selling around 1,300 copies a week is often enough to get into the top 10, so Susie’s figure is substantial and reflects the appetite for well told motorsport stories.

Race weekend outlook: weather and what might happen

Weather can be the great equalizer. It was raining during Media Day and forecasts suggested more rain for Friday and Saturday. This is the last race of the year where we are likely to get rain before the season wraps with three mostly dry desert rounds in Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi. Rain at Interlagos brings unpredictability and opens the door for surprises; last year’s race with Esteban Ocon finishing second and Pierre third after a remarkable drive by Max exemplifies how chaotic conditions can reshuffle the order.

Final thoughts

The Colapinto story blends driver talent, commercial muscle and some hard paddock politics. Alpine’s likely decision to install him in 2026 reshapes the reserve-driver landscape and will ripple through junior programmes and career pathways. Whatever the final confirmation statement says, the narrative is clear: a young driver backed by significant regional sponsorship is heading into a full-time seat, leaving a few disappointed colleagues behind and a wave of fans excited to see him race in Alpine colours.

There is plenty more to unpack as official announcements arrive and contracts are published. For now, watch the next few races closely: Colapinto has everything to prove on track, and the paddock will be fascinating to follow as the calendar rolls into what looks like a hectic finish to the year.

Frequently asked questions

Is Franco Colapinto confirmed for Alpine in 2026?

At the time the information in this piece was recorded, Alpine had teased the announcement on Media Day via social channels but the team had not yet released a full official statement. Sources indicate the move is set and will be confirmed by the team.

How much is Mercado Libre contributing to the deal?

Reports indicate Mercado Libre is believed to be contributing in the region of US$30 million per year as a naming-rights sponsor. Teams sometimes qualify these figures as estimates, but the key point is that significant commercial backing from Mercado Libre underpins the arrangement.

What happens to Jack Doohan and Paul Aron?

Jack Doohan was on a three-year contract but only drove six races; industry practice suggests he will be paid out for the remaining time on his contract. Paul Aron had hoped for a seat and has been left disappointed by this decision, which appears to close that immediate opportunity for him.

Will travel disruptions affect the Las Vegas Grand Prix?

Around 10 percent of flights to and from several major airports, including Las Vegas and Los Angeles, were reported cut because of staffing shortages among TSA officers and air traffic controllers. Freight firms like DHL warned the situation could make cargo movements to LAX and nearby airports difficult; fans and freight customers should confirm travel arrangements with their carriers as the race approaches.

How significant is the Ayrton Senna exhibit at the Institute?

The Ayrton Senna Institute houses Senna’s 1990 McLaren, the sixth chassis in that series. The car reportedly retains a Honda engine and has been maintained so it could be run. The Institute has delivered tens of millions of public education services in Brazil and manages Senna-related merchandising, experiences and tributes.