Colapinto doesn't have a vacation yet: what does he still need to do after the last race of the year

The 2025 season of Formula 1 came to an end with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Lando Norris's coronation, and a forgettable year-end for Alpine and Franco Colapinto. The Argentine driver finished last in the championship with no points, but at least he left with confirmation of his continuity for 2026.

However, while much of the paddock is already thinking about vacation, the native of Pilar still has one more commitment. He will be responsible for driving the A525 (or the A523) in Pirelli's tests next week to evaluate the performance of the tires for the new regulations.

Just as the sporting year hasn't ended for him, it hasn't for much of the French team either. The team will carry out the traditional post-season tests with the Indian driver Kush Maini, while Pierre Gasly will travel to Enstone to begin working with the engineers who are designing the car for the next championship. Paul Aron, meanwhile, will resume his duties in the simulator.

In this context, Colapinto will have to keep pushing a bit longer before he can disconnect and start focusing fully on his long-awaited rematch in 2026.

Gasly's sarcastic message after Abu Dhabi

Once the checkered flag was waved, the French driver delivered a phrase that perfectly sums up both his and Colapinto's opinion of the problematic A525. Although he first began by thanking the team, he quickly made his discomfort with the car clear: "Well, let's keep that car away from my side next year, please. I never want to see it again".

It should be remembered that, despite the difficulties, the Frenchman was Alpine's only driver able to score points this season: 22 points. He earned these points in the races in Belgium (7th), Spain (8th), Great Britain (6th), Belgium (10th), and Brazil (10th), and in the Sprints in Miami (8th) and São Paulo (8th). His performance made it clear that not even experience could save a season doomed from the start by his car.