Colapinto’s debut with Alpine: No cap on races, says Briatore
Flavio Briatore Confirms Franco Colapinto’s Alpine Tenure Has No Set Race Limit
In a move that has captured the attention of the Formula 1 paddock, Alpine boss Flavio Briatore has confirmed that Argentine rookie Franco Colapinto has no fixed number of races for his stint with the team, despite earlier reports suggesting a cap of five races.
Colapinto is stepping into the spotlight, replacing Australian driver Jack Doohan after six races in a 24-race season. The 20-year-old former Williams driver, who made nine starts in 2024, is set to make his Alpine debut at the iconic Imola circuit this weekend.
Speaking to Sky Italia, Briatore provided clarity on Colapinto's immediate future:
"It’s not that a driver gets three or five races. I expected more from Jack Doohan. Maybe he needs a break," he remarked. "Franco will race as much as needed. I read somewhere that he’ll have five races, but no, there’s no set limit on his races. He needs to be fast, not crash, and score points. I’m only asking him these three things... if he does them well, he will drive forever."
Initial Reports of a Trial Period
Alpine had initially hinted at a five-race trial period for Colapinto. In a press release shared last week, Briatore stated:
"We have come to the decision to put Franco in the car alongside Pierre [Gasly] for the next five races. The next five races will give us an opportunity to try something different and after this time period we will assess our options."
However, Briatore’s recent comments suggest the young driver’s tenure behind the wheel could extend beyond that, depending on his performance.
Colapinto’s Practice Results
Colapinto logged a significant number of laps during Friday's practice sessions, finishing 17th in FP1 and 13th in FP2. Reflecting on his first day with the team, he shared a measured optimism:
"I’m beginning to be in a happier place with the car after my first day. There’s still a lot of work to do with the setup, but I’m starting to be more comfortable. I am building up to it, and by the end of the day I was starting to be a bit more competitive. The car is looking quite strong, especially with Pierre, so I’m sure we are in the mix."
Indeed, his teammate Pierre Gasly offered a glimmer of hope for Alpine’s weekend by finishing an impressive third-fastest in the second practice session. This performance comes as a much-needed boost for the team, currently languishing in ninth place among ten constructors in the 2025 standings.
Leadership Changes at Alpine
The significant lineup change comes in the wake of Oliver Oakes’ sudden resignation as Alpine principal following the Miami Grand Prix. Oakes, who has shifted his focus to his Hitech F2 operation, cited personal reasons for his departure, leaving Alpine scrambling to fill the void.
Briatore, no stranger to leading Formula 1 operations, has temporarily assumed the principal role and downplayed the shakeup:
"Nothing changes. The organizational chart has shifted a bit, but everything else stays the same. For now, I’m taking charge, but I’m used to that. It’s not my first day at school."
The Italian veteran underscored his confidence in his ability to manage the team through this turbulent period.
Pressure on Colapinto to Perform
As Alpine heads into qualifying at Imola, the spotlight remains firmly on Colapinto and Gasly. While the team's position in the standings necessitates considerable progress, Colapinto’s long-term future with Alpine may be shaped in the coming weeks.
With clear goals outlined by his boss—speed, consistency, and points—Colapinto knows what’s expected. Now, it’s up to the young Argentine to deliver on the promise of a breakthrough career.
Up Next
