Argentine race driver Franco Colapinto accomplished a major feat in last Sunday’s Chinese Grand Prix, earning his first-ever Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship points as an Alpine F1 driver.

Despite never having raced at the Shanghai International Circuit, the 22-year-old ran as high as he ever had in an F1 race. 

He managed to snatch second place after a safety car on lap 11 saw most cars dive to the pits and held on for four laps before tire wear made it untenable. He also was able to keep his composure and stay close after a clash with Haas F1’s Esteban Ocon, which left his car with floor damage and limited the gains he could make after that.

Colapinto’s auspicious second outing in 2026 is a major step forward for the Argentine driver, as he continues to prove himself in the racing world’s top category. What happens now?

The Alpine A526 is fast, in the right conditions

The race at the Shanghai International Circuit offered a contrasting picture to the season opener at Melbourne. 

After the pedal-to-the-metal Australian track raised doubts about whether this new generation of F1 cars could sustain pace for a grand prix length, China’s long straights and hard........

© Buenos Aires Herald