Franco Colapinto 'Finds Feet' as New Chassis Drives Alpine to Reward in Miami

Franco Colapinto credits a new chassis for his breakthrough performance in Miami, where he secured seventh place — the best result for an Argentine driver in Formula 1 since Carlos Reutemann's second place at the 1982 South African Grand Prix. The Alpine driver qualified in the top 10 for both the Sprint and the main race, finished eighth on the road, and was promoted after Charles Leclerc's penalty. It marked his second points finish of the season and a significant step forward for the resurgent Enstone team.

Why it matters:

Colapinto's result underscores Alpine's rapid recovery after a difficult start to 2025. The team has scored 23 points in the last four races — already surpassing their total of 22 points from the entire 2024 season. For Colapinto, the new chassis provided the consistency and confidence needed to match teammate Pierre Gasly and deliver on the promise he showed during his 2024 Williams stint.

The details:

• Alpine brought a new A526 chassis for Colapinto ahead of the Miami weekend as part of a larger upgrade package.
• Colapinto qualified inside the top 10 for both the Sprint and Grand Prix, finishing 10th in the Sprint.
• In the Grand Prix, he finished eighth on the road, but Leclerc's 20-second penalty elevated him to seventh — his career-best result since his debut season.
• The performance ended a 44-year wait for an Argentine driver at this level; Reutemann's 1982 runner-up finish was the previous high.
• Colapinto out-qualified Gasly for the first time since the 2025 Singapore GP, a crucial milestone for his confidence.

What's next:

Colapinto now has back-to-back points finishes and a clear upward trajectory. With Alpine's momentum building and further upgrades expected, the Argentine could become a consistent factor in the midfield battle. "When you have the pace, suddenly everything becomes much easier," he said, suggesting that the new chassis has unlocked his potential.