DEEP DIVE: Gasly speaks on his 2028 Alpine contract extension as we take a look at Alpine’s driver options for F1 2026

Alpine enters the 2026 season standing at a crossroads. With rule changes, a switch in engine supply, and a drive to improve on a disappointing 2025, much of the team’s future hinges on getting its driver pairing right — especially the second seat alongside Pierre Gasly. Gasly’s recent contract extension until 2028 underscores that he will be the lead driver, but Alpine now has to decide who joins him in the cockpit.

Gasly’s Contract Extension: What He Said, What It Means

Pierre Gasly formally extended his Alpine contract through to the end of the 2028 season. Though Alpine are currently last in the Constructors’ Championship, Gasly has scored all of the team’s 20 points so far in 2025. 

What’s significant is what Gasly has emphasized in his remarks around the deal:

• He said that, despite the team’s struggles this year, he “fully believes” Alpine can produce a car capable of fighting at the front from 2026 onward. 

• Gasly also admitted he explored his options outside Alpine — his extension was not a foregone conclusion. But he feels the team is improving, particularly in its structure, leadership (including newer figures like Flavio Briatore and Renault’s CEO François Provost), and is committed to building toward performance.

• He noted that the upcoming regulation changes — new chassis and power unit rules beginning in 2026 — and the shift to a Mercedes engine supply give Alpine a chance to reset and make tangible gains.

So, Gasly is now a stable anchor for Alpine. The team has one seat locked, and expectations are rising for both driver performance and team development.

Who Could Be Gasly’s Teammate? The Contenders for Alpine’s Second Seat

While Gasly’s spot is secure, Alpine’s second seat remains unsettled. There’s no shortage of speculation. According to racing news outlets and Autosport, several candidates are being seriously considered. Here are some of the names:

Franco Colapinto
Colapinto has already raced for Alpine this season, stepping in after Jack Doohan was dropped. He’s shown glimpses of promise — qualifying better than Gasly in some recent events, and improving his comfort with the car. However, he has also had incidents, and some believe that Alpine may have pushed him too much, too soon. 

Jack Doohan
Doohan began the season as Gasly’s teammate before being replaced. He has committed supporters and a strong junior record, but his time in the 2025 car was marked by crashes and inconsistency. He remains in the frame, but likely needs to demonstrate greater consistency to win the seat.

Paul Aron
Another junior driver under consideration. Aron has impressed in Formula 2 and in test / FP1 appearances. His lack of experience at F1 race pace is a drawback, though he is seen as a potential rising talent if Alpine prefers a younger option.

Yuki Tsunoda or Liam Lawson
These are more experienced options, beyond Alpine’s junior pool. Both have been suggested in rumors. But from recent reporting, it seems Alpine may prefer to promote from within their junior ranks rather than bring in an experienced outsider in this seat — unless the performances this season from Tsunoda or Lawson dramatically shift. 

Experienced Drivers? Bottas / Pérez?
Reports indicate that Alpine did have contact or interest in veterans like Valtteri Bottas or Sergio Pérez. But those discussions reportedly never got past early stages and are now off the table with both drivers siging for Cadillac F1 Team in 2026. Alpine seems to have shifted decisively toward internal talent. 

Challenges Alpine Faces & What to Watch

There are several hurdles for Alpine to clear:

• Performance Pressure: Alpine were bottom of the Constructors in 2025 and lack points-scoring depth. Gasly is doing a lot of heavy lifting. Whoever is confirmed in the second seat will be expected to contribute reliably and push the car forward with feedback.

• Youth vs Experience Trade-off: Choosing a young driver like Colapinto or Aron could bring long-term upside, but also risk. Experience from Tsunoda, Lawson, or a veteran could help accelerate progress, but likely at greater financial or strategic cost.

• Regulation Changes & Engine Supplier: The shift to Mercedes power units in 2026 offers both opportunity and risk. Alpine must adapt to new PU regulations, new chassis rules, and ensure their car delivers reliability and performance. Gasly’s comments suggest he believes Alpine has the “ingredients” to succeed — but belief alone won’t be enough.

• Team Culture and Self-Belief: One recurring theme in Gasly’s public comments is that Alpine needs more self-belief — that mental edge, confidence, and cohesion. He’s said that clarity over leadership and long-term planning (contracts, direction) help, but translating that into on-track performance will be Alpine’s real test.

Final Thoughts

Alpine’s future in 2026 looks more defined than it did a few months ago. Gasly’s contract extension through 2028 sends a strong signal: he is the driver they trust to lead the rebuild. Meanwhile, the second seat battle is likely between Franco Colapinto, Jack Doohan, and Paul Aron, with the most probable outcome being that Alpine sticks with one of their developing drivers.

What the team needs is a partner for Gasly who can deliver consistency, avoid major mistakes, and help close the gap to the midfield front-runners under the new regulations. Gasly is clear in his messaging — he is proud to drive for a French team, committed to its long-term rivalry, and fully believes that Alpine can deliver a competitive car from 2026.

For fans, the question now is not just who will drive for Alpine, but how quickly they will make meaningful step changes. The driver pairing will be part of that, but execution — car development, reliability, strategy — will define Alpine’s revived ambitions as the team moves into a new era.