Franco Colapinto just grabbed his first point with Alpine in a thrilling Chinese Grand Prix. The Argentine driver finished 10th at the Shanghai track on March 15, 2026, marking a big step forward for the young talent. After a solid debut in Australia and now this score, fans are buzzing about when he’ll hit the track again.
The Chinese race was a Sprint weekend, but the next event goes back to the classic format. Colapinto will line up in just a couple of weeks at the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka on March 29. It’s a quick turnaround, and he’s ready to build on the momentum from China.
In Shanghai, he started from 12th on the grid but made a rocket launch. He gained six spots on the opening lap alone, climbing to 6th. At one point he even ran as high as 2nd. He defended hard against teammate Esteban Ocon, who made contact during a pit exit but didn’t cause major damage to Colapinto’s A526 car. The point came from smart driving and holding his ground.
His Australian debut earlier this season showed promise too. He finished 14th despite a team error that led to a Stop and Go penalty. He pulled off a quick reflex move to avoid a huge crash with Liam Lawson’s Racing Bulls car. Then he managed hard tires for over 45 laps and kept Carlos Sainz’s Williams behind him.
Colapinto joined Alpine as a reserve before stepping up, and the team has stuck with him for 2026 alongside Pierre Gasly. His performances have improved, earning him a full seat this year. The point in China is his first since joining the French squad, and it’s a sign things are clicking.
The 2026 calendar took a hit with two races canceled due to the ongoing war in the Middle East. Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, set for April, are off—no replacements planned. That leaves a longer break after Japan until the Miami Grand Prix on May 3, which includes a Sprint.
Here’s the full remaining schedule after China:
- Japanese GP: March 29, Suzuka
- Miami GP (Sprint): May 2-3
- Canadian GP (Sprint): May 23-24
- Monaco GP: June 7
- Spanish GP (Barcelona): June 14
- Austrian GP: June 28
- British GP (Sprint): July 4-5
- Belgian GP: July 19
- Hungarian GP: July 26
- Dutch GP (Sprint): August 22-23
- Italian GP: September 6
- Spanish GP: September 13 (note: separate from Barcelona round)
- Azerbaijan GP: September 26
- Singapore GP (Sprint): October 10-11
- United States GP: October 25
- Mexican GP: November 1
- Brazilian GP: November 8
- Las Vegas GP: November 22
- Qatar GP: November 29
- Abu Dhabi GP: December 6
With the Middle East races gone, the season feels stretched but gives teams more time to develop cars and drivers like Colapinto to find their rhythm.
Argentine fans are thrilled after his strong China showing. He’s proving he belongs in F1, and Suzuka could be another chance to shine on one of the sport’s toughest tracks. The wait is short—March 29 is coming fast. Keep an eye on this rising star; he’s got the speed and the story to keep things exciting all season.