Colapinto's sponsor disappears from Alpine's branding.

      "It’s a group that has put in tremendous effort."

      Observers in Barcelona have noted that Mercado Libre, the most significant Argentine supporter of Franco Colapinto, has quietly vanished from the Alpine branding—just days after Flavio Briatore publicly reassured that Colapinto is confirmed for the entire 2026 season. The timing has inevitably attracted attention, especially as the Argentine-backed brand has appeared elsewhere in the paddock. Mercado Libre branding has shown up on Sergio Perez's helmet at Cadillac, with indications that through its Brazilian subsidiary, the company will also back Gabriel Bortoleto at Audi. Sources close to the matter emphasize that discussions between Alpine and Mercado Libre are still in progress. Colapinto himself adopted a composed, forward-looking stance when speaking with Spanish media during the Barcelona shakedown. "It’s a new era, a completely distinct car from last year, so you start the year with a lot of enthusiasm and motivation," he remarked. "It’s a group that has put in tremendous effort. There are over a thousand people at the factory working day and night to bring a car to the track." The Argentine noted that the expectations are intentionally manageable. "We’re very focused on ourselves because it’s quite challenging to gauge where the other teams will stand. We have very limited information about the rest. We need to first enhance our own performance," stated the 22-year-old. When asked about the presence of reserve driver Paul Aron, Colapinto dismissed any implication that his position might already be uncertain. "Third drivers are there to support the team, especially in a season with new cars. Their role is very significant," the Argentine affirmed. Beyond the F1 paddock, Colapinto’s Alpine teammate Pierre Gasly has been making news of his own. Gasly has joined the investor group supporting Gunther Steiner-led Tech3 in MotoGP, through the Trail Slam fund, which he co-founded. "I have strong faith in the strength of the Tech3 brand and the long-term growth of MotoGP," the French driver stated. "The team has substantial untapped potential, and I look forward to helping enhance its profile."