Just a handful of seats remain on the F1 grid for the 2026 season, and one of them is held by Alpine.
They haven’t been able to decide on a definite number two driver alongside Pierre Gasly since Esteban Ocon left them last year. Both Jack Doohan and Franco Colapinto have failed to stamp their authority down on the gig.
It means that Alpine have the opportunity to test the Formula 1 driver market if they would like to bring in a more experienced alternative.
Flavio Briatore is a big player in their affairs, as he once was when they were winning constructors’ championships 20 years ago, and his choice is a critical one.
Briatore just added an ‘incredible’ driver to Alpine’s list and is taking time to assess all of his options ahead of the 2026 F1 regulations.
Even Gasly ‘would be worried’ if a significant change is not made soon to help battle their downfall. Bottom of the standings is not where they want to be.
Photo by Clive Rose/Getty ImagesFlavio Briatore has ‘slammed’ the door shut on Mick Schumacher’s hopes of an Alpine F1 seat for 2026
Even though he has been off the grid for nearly three years, Mick Schumacher is still trying to find a route back.
He works with the French outfit in the World Endurance Championship, but results haven’t necessarily stood out.
According to Auto Motor und Sport, Briatore has ‘slammed’ the door shut on the German, who has no hopes of filling their second seat for 2026.
Cadillac saw Schumacher as a ‘win-win’ signing, but he has actually refused a reserve driver role, as well as a move to their WEC team (Jota).
It’s hard to see any other gaps in the market that he might be able to explore. The driver Martin Brundle once called ‘assertive’, according to RacingNews365, looks to be off the grid for good.
Mick Schumacher is in ‘positive talks’ with McLaren for a sportscar role in 2027
After Schumacher left Mario Andretti ‘particularly impressed’, he still failed to secure a cockpit with Formula 1’s newest team.
Whether or not he lasts much longer with Alpine is another question, with The Race now reporting that the German is in ‘positive talks’ with McLaren over a sportscar seat for the future.
Their World Endurance Championship entry won’t be ready until 2027, with a preparation year in 2026, but there’s plenty of work to do, and an experienced driver is required.
The 26-year-old still has a lot of upside and has been able to show a lot of talent behind the wheel in endurance racing already. He could be a champion in the waiting.