As the paddock descends on the Circuit of the Americas for this weekend’s United States Grand Prix, much of the attention is on the title fight and sprint action. But behind the scenes, team bosses are also evaluating the next generation of driver pairings — and for Alpine, the question of who could partner Pierre Gasly in 2026 is heating up.
Gasly’s position is secure: he recently extended his contract with Alpine through 2028. That leaves the second seat open for speculation. Alpine has made it clear they’re not in a rush — but whispers, rumors, and signals are emerging. Let’s run through the main contenders and who might make the cut.
The Front-Runners & Rumors
1. Franco Colapinto
Colapinto is perhaps the most obvious internal candidate. He currently drives for Alpine (after replacing Jack Doohan midseason) and has shown flashes of potential, though he has yet to consistently score points.
Pros:
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Already familiar with the team, engineers, and culture — less adjustment period.
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Alpine can observe him directly in the same machinery as Gasly this season.
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Provides continuity, possibly lower risk than an external gamble.
Cons:
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His results so far have been modest; some believe he hasn’t demonstrated enough to convincingly outshine challengers.
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If Alpine wants to be more ambitious, they might look beyond internal promotion.
Given these, many pundits consider Colapinto the “default” choice — but not necessarily the most exciting.
2. Paul Aron
Another Alpine-affiliated option is Paul Aron, currently serving as a reserve driver. He’s been publicly named by Flavio Briatore as one of two drivers in contention for the seat (alongside Colapinto).
Pros:
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He might bring a fresh energy and relatively untapped potential.
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As reserve, he’s likely to have access to Alpine resources and internal knowledge.
Cons:
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He lacks racing experience in F1 compared to Colapinto.
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The jump to a full seat would place him in direct comparison with Gasly — if the margin is too large, it could expose weaknesses.
3. Jack Doohan (again)
Doohan started 2025 as Gasly’s teammate but was later replaced by Colapinto after several rounds without point finishes.
Pros:
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He already has F1 experience (albeit limited), and Alpine knows what he offers.
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There’s a narrative of redemption if he can turn things around.
Cons:
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His performance so far failed to justify continued tenure this season.
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Returning to him might be seen as a backward move rather than growth.
Most analysts see his name as still in the mix, but likely as a fallback scenario rather than front runner.
4. Yuki Tsunoda
This is a more speculative, external option. Gasly reportedly has an interest in having Tsunoda as a teammate, citing the two’s past relationship at Red Bull / AlphaTauri.
Pros:
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Adds name recognition, experience, and prior F1 track time.
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The pairing could have interpersonal chemistry and a storyline that draws attention.
Cons:
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His results in recent seasons have been inconsistent.
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Alpine would have to negotiate terms with Red Bull interests or Tsunoda’s existing commitments.
Tsunoda is not currently considered a front-runner by most outlets, but Gasly’s preference is worth noting.
5. Other Dark Horses / Less Likely Options
At one point, names like Nikola Tsolov were floated inside Alpine’s ecosystem (he was formerly part of Alpine’s affiliate / junior programme).
There’s less public momentum behind such options now — the stronger signals point to internal candidates. Alpine leadership seems intent to weigh performance this season before finalizing their decision.
Signals from Alpine Leadership
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Alpine’s Executive Advisor, Flavio Briatore, recently stated that only two drivers remain in contention for the seat: Colapinto or Aron.
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Team management has also confirmed they’re a few races away from making the driver decision.
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Reports suggest that if Colapinto does not decisively win the internal battle this season, Alpine may lean toward promoting from the reserve ranks or making a tougher external hire.
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Gasly’s contract extension gives Alpine room to be patient and select a teammate who complements his tenure.
So the signals favor internal candidates — with Colapinto currently having the inside track — but nothing is locked in until the decision is officially announced.
What Alpine (and Gasly) Are Likely Prioritizing
Before making the pick, Alpine will probably weigh:
Consistency and reliability — they want a teammate who can gather solid points, not just flashes of speed.
Development potential — someone they can grow into the new technical era starting 2026.
Team harmony / cooperation — Gasly currently is a key figure; they’ll want someone who complements rather than conflicts.
Cost & contract considerations — internal promotions likely come with more favorable financial and logistical terms.
Given those priorities, the safer bet is for Alpine to stick with someone already in their ecosystem — which puts Colapinto or Aron at the top of the list.
My Prediction
If I were to place my money, here’s how I see it:
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Favorite: Franco Colapinto — already in place, showing incremental improvements, and likely the “house choice.”
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Runner-up: Paul Aron — if Colapinto wavers, Aron is ready as a candidate with fresh upside.
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Dark chance: Jack Doohan, as a fallback if internal options disappoint.
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Wildcard: Yuki Tsunoda, only if Alpine wants to make a more headline-making external move or respond to Gasly’s preference.
It’s a compelling internal contest, and expect the final call to come after a few more races — possibly influenced by who can out-qualify or out-perform expectations in the next rounds.
