🇨🇳 Colapinto Report – Post 2026 China Grand Prix
Franco scores his first point with Alpine 🥳
Published
23 Mar 2026
Est. reading time
5 min
🏁 Race Report – 2026 Chinese Grand Prix
Circuit: Shanghai International Circuit
Date: 15 March 2026
Franco’s finishing position: P10
🥇 P1- Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, 1:33:15.607
🥈 P2- George Russell, Mercedes, 1:33:21.122
🥉 P3- Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, 1:33:40.874
🇫🇷 P6- GAS
🇦🇷 P10- COL
It was a Sprint weekend in which Franco gained valuable experience in Shanghai, during a race shaped by a Safety Car, incidents and several strategic variables. It was also a race where he showcased his abilities, demonstrating everything he is capable of.
An important statistic as well: it had been 44 years since an Argentine driver last ran in P2 during a Formula 1 race, something that happened again during this Grand Prix.
A historic moment that once again placed Argentina among the front-running positions in the category.
🇦🇷 Franco’s highlights from this race
The second weekend of the season brought Franco to the Shanghai International Circuit for the first time, in a Sprint format that left very little time to learn the track before competing. Despite that, the Argentine driver showed clear progress in every session across the weekend.
After an extremely close qualifying session in which he missed out on Q3 by just 0.005 seconds, Franco started Sunday’s race from P12, ready to fight in the midfield. What followed was an intense race, filled with wheel-to-wheel battles, incidents and constant position changes.
In that context, Franco managed to remain competitive throughout the race and ultimately secured his best result so far with Alpine, also scoring his first point with the team in the 2026 season.
Key moments
Strong start and immediate progress
Starting from P12 on the grid, Franco reacted brilliantly at the lights and quickly gained positions, moving into the top ten within the opening laps.
Running inside the top 10 and a stint in P2
During a phase of the race shaped by the Safety Car and several pit stops, Franco climbed as high as P2, a very special moment that marked the return of an Argentine driver to that position during a Grand Prix after more than four decades. Many fans were glued to the broadcast during those minutes.
Check it again here 👈
Intense midfield battles
Throughout the race he defended his position against drivers such as OCO and was involved in direct battles with several cars, including the two Alpines and the Haas drivers, later also VER, remaining composed and solid under pressure. Perhaps Formula 1 has found a new minister of defence.
Incident with OCO and recovery
During one of the most tense phases of the race, Franco had contact with OCO at the exit of the pit lane. The incident resulted in a 10-second penalty for OCO, while Franco was able to continue and keep fighting for the points, even with a potentially damaged car but showing tremendous determination.Esteban came out and apologised for the mistake after the race, something appreciated by the FranClub43 and we kindly ask for respect.
Final push for the point
In the closing laps, Franco once again began gaining positions. First he passed LIN, then closed in on SAI, whom he chased for several laps. He eventually secured P10, sealing his first point with Alpine.
The weekend in China
- FP1: P16 – 1:34.947
- Sprint Quali: P16
- Sprint Race: P14
- Quali: P12 – 0.005s away from reaching Q3
Race
Final position: P10, running through every position inside the top ten except P1 and P4.
First point with Alpine in 2026.
Franco managed several different phases of the race, beginning on hard tyres before switching to a medium-tyre stint after his pit stop. During the second part of the race he had to adapt to a car that may have suffered damage following the contact with OCO, yet he still maintained a competitive pace, even setting quicker times than several drivers ahead of him.
Alpine’s pit stops were also particularly quick, helping both Franco and his team-mate remain in the fight within the midfield pack.
🎙️ Weekend statements
After the race, the team highlighted Franco’s effort throughout the weekend and the work done at a circuit that was completely new to him.
During Saturday’s qualifying session, Alpine Managing Director Steve Nielsen also praised the Argentine driver’s performance after he narrowly missed out on Q3.
Over the radio at the finish line, the team told him:
“Very well done, you finished P10. We are very proud of everything you did this weekend.”
Franco also commented at the end of the weekend:
“Despite the result, I think from where we started the weekend, we can be pleased with how the car felt and performed, especially in race trim which is comparable with some of our midfield rivals.”
When is the next race?
Following the intense weekend in Shanghai, Formula 1 had a one-week break before returning to action this Friday, where Franco and Alpine will aim to keep building on this positive result, once again at a circuit that will be completely new for him- Japan.
🩵 A historic result for Franco and the FranClub
It was a very special weekend: Franco not only scored his first point with Alpine in the 2026 season, but he also delivered moments that will remain in the memory of fans around the world, such as seeing him running in P2 during the race for several laps.
On a track that was new to him and within a demanding Sprint format, the Argentine driver showed character, adaptability and strong racecraft in several on-track battles.
The FranClub was also present throughout the weekend, following the race from different time zones around the world and celebrating every position gained by Franco in Shanghai.
谢谢, FranClub. Thank you for always being there for #43
See you in a few days to keep supporting Franco in Japan 🇯🇵
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