Alpine’s executive advisor, Flavio Briatore, has openly expressed his dissatisfaction with Franco Colapinto following a challenging return to Formula 1. After the Miami Grand Prix, Jack Doohan was replaced by Alpine’s Corapinto. Colapinto has been with Alpine since the start of the year, serving as a test and reserve driver. The Argentine driver previously had a brief stint with Williams last year when he stepped in for Logan Sargent. However, since rejoining the sport with Alpine, Colapinto’s performances have not met expectations.
Known for his tough decisions regarding drivers, Briatore admitted to Sky Germany that he is far from pleased with Colapinto’s current form. He said, "If I said I was happy now, that would be a lie. I’m not happy at all. Now we have to see how the seasons develop for him." Briatore acknowledged that Colapinto is still young and faces considerable pressure from Argentina and other sources, but he believes the driver is resilient and capable of regaining confidence quickly.
When Colapinto was announced as Doohan’s replacement, Alpine stated he had a five-race contract, a claim Briatore has since questioned. Alpine expects to lag behind this year, waiting on Mercedes’ power unit for 2025, so Briatore views this season as an opportunity to experiment with drivers. Alpine also has Paul Aron in its Junior Academy, with Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas potentially available for 2026.
Briatore commented, "To be honest, I don’t know. I never say five races, three races, four races, one race. If Colapinto is performing, he’ll drive the car; otherwise, we need to focus on preparing for 2026. We don’t yet know whether Franco will stay this season, but it depends purely on performance—nothing else."
Fan Take: This update is crucial for racing enthusiasts because it highlights the intense pressure young drivers face to deliver results in Formula 1. Colapinto’s fate could signal a shift in how teams approach nurturing talent, balancing immediate performance against long-term development in the sport.
