Colapinto says it will be “painful” to race in Zandvoort without Alpine update

Key Takeaways:

• Single Upgrade Package: Alpine accelerated its development timeline to bring a major A526 upgrade to Zandvoort, but production limits mean only Pierre Gasly will receive the new specification this weekend.
• Painful Wait for Monza: Franco Colapinto tested the new package in Alpine’s Enstone simulator and confirmed strong performance gains, but will have to wait until the Italian GP at Monza to receive matching updates.
• Targeting Racing Bulls: The primary goal of Alpine’s aerodynamic upgrade is to close the gap and surpass RB in the tight midfield battle during the second half of the 2026 season.

Franco Colapinto admitted that competing in the Dutch Grand Prix without Alpine’s latest updates will be “painful,” as the team brings only a single upgraded package to Zandvoort this weekend. The Argentine explained that he tested the modifications in the simulator and recognized the potential of the new equipment, but will have to wait until Monza to receive the same updates on his A526.

In an interview attended by GRANDE PRÊMIO on Thursday (20) in Zandvoort, Colapinto stated that he got his first taste of the changes in Alpine’s Enstone simulator and expressed optimism about the package’s potential. The Argentine also highlighted that the team’s initial plan was to introduce the updates only at the Italian GP, praising the effort to bring forward the debut.

“The factory worked very hard. It was an update scheduled to arrive in Monza for both cars, but it ended up arriving earlier than expected, which is already a positive thing. Unfortunately, it is only available for one car, but let’s hope it works and proves that we can fight for higher positions on the grid in the final part of the year,” he stated.

Colapinto explained that the initial signs observed in the simulator are positive and point to a significant evolution for the A526. Alpine’s main objective is to reduce the gap to Racing Bulls, which has shown superior performance throughout the season.

“At the moment, it looks good in the simulator, and the data indicates that it is a very strong and significant improvement. So, we hope we can take the necessary steps to fight against Racing Bulls and, hopefully, get ahead of them,” he emphasized.

The decision to run the package solely on Gasly’s car also creates an unusual situation for Colapinto, who will have to complete the weekend with a different specification than his teammate. Nevertheless, the Argentine affirmed that he intends to collaborate so that Alpine can extract as much as possible from the new developments.

“If everything works perfectly [for Gasly], it will be a bit of a painful weekend for me, but I will do my best so that, together, we can try to maximize the package we have. I hope it works well and that we can take good steps heading into Monza and the next part of the season,” he concluded.

The update arrives amidst a busy flurry of paddock developments ahead of Round 12, following Max Verstappen revealing retirement thoughts before his Red Bull renewal, Jos Verstappen confirming performance clauses in his son’s contract extension, how the provisional 2027 F1 driver grid stands, McLaren confirming rear-end updates for Zandvoort, and Honda ruling out ‘magic’ with its final 2026 engine upgrade.

Formula 1 resumes track action this weekend, August 21–23, 2026, at the Dutch Grand Prix, the 12th round of the 2026 season. GRANDE PRÊMIO is covering all activities in Zandvoort live on-site with reporter Leonid Kliuev.

2026 Dutch Grand Prix — Session Schedule (Local Time / CEST)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why is only Pierre Gasly receiving the Alpine update at Zandvoort?

Alpine accelerated its development schedule to introduce the package ahead of the original Monza target, resulting in only one complete set of parts being produced in time for the Dutch GP.

When will Franco Colapinto receive the updated Alpine A526 specification?

Franco Colapinto is scheduled to receive the updated package at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza.

Which midfield competitor is Alpine targeting with its new upgrade package?

Alpine is aiming to close the gap and compete directly against Racing Bulls for position in the Constructors’ Championship.