Franco Colapinto is taking a low-profile vacation in Argentina after concluding the 2025 Formula 1 season with Alpine. A statement from a key team executive has fueled fans' excitement about his chances for 2026, as factory work progresses. The Pilar native is balancing rest with everyday activities before resuming training.
Franco Colapinto, the Argentine driver from Pilar, has returned home for a break after wrapping up the 2025 Formula 1 season with Alpine. He is keeping a low profile, away from track pressures, as his team progresses on developing the new monoplaza aimed at boosting performance next year.
In his initial days back in Argentina, Colapinto has mixed leisure with social outings. He attended an Airbag concert, played padel with former footballer Carlos Tevez, and had dinner with producer Bizarrap. More recently, he surprised locals by visiting San Andrés de Giles, a town in Buenos Aires province about 60 kilometers from Pilar. Accompanied by his father, Aníbal Colapinto, he entered a local supermarket, browsed the butcher section, and emerged with a shopping bag containing chocolatada, posing casually for photos with staff and neighbors.
This everyday scene stands in contrast to the glamour of international motorsport and underscores his ties to Argentine roots. Meanwhile, a statement from a senior Alpine executive has ignited hope among fans for Colapinto's role in the 2026 season. Work at the French team's factory is highly advanced, with growing optimism among staff.
Formula 1 has confirmed the 2026 calendar, featuring 24 Grands Prix, a new technical regulation, and key dates like the March 6 start in Melbourne and December 6 finish in Abu Dhabi. It includes six sprint weekends and the debut Madrid Grand Prix from September 11 to 13. These changes position 2026 as a crucial year for Colapinto in the series.
