Alpine Boss Flavio Briatore Admits Mishandling Under-Pressure Franco Colapinto
Alpine Boss Flavio Briatore Reflects on Missteps in Managing Franco Colapinto's Challenging Formula 1 Debut
ZANDVOORT, Netherlands — Alpine team principal Flavio Briatore has acknowledged potential mismanagement of Franco Colapinto during the Argentine driver’s difficult Formula 1 debut season.
Colapinto, who joined the Alpine F1 lineup midseason as Jack Doohan's replacement at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, has struggled to make an impact. The 20-year-old driver has yet to score any championship points, and his difficulties on the track have drawn parallels to Doohan’s challenges earlier in the season before he was replaced.
The decision to promote Colapinto from his role as a reserve driver added considerable pressure, something Briatore now admits might have been mishandled.
"We changed Doohan with Franco and maybe he has the same problem of too much pressure to be in Formula 1," Briatore said. "Maybe we put [too] much pressure on him. We need to consider sometimes that the driver is a human being and we need to sometimes understand exactly what's going on in the head of these, because they are young; 19, 20, 22, 23."
Briatore further elaborated, stating, “It’s our mistake sometimes to underestimate the human part of the driver. We’re looking always for the timing. Maybe I missed something there in the management of the driver.”
Franco Colapinto’s Future with Alpine Formula 1 Team
While Franco Colapinto is contracted to Alpine after being loaned out from Williams on a long-term deal, his future with the Formula 1 team remains uncertain beyond this season. Alpine currently sits at the bottom of the Constructors' Championship standings, with all 20 of its points coming from fellow driver Pierre Gasly.
Ahead of Formula 1’s summer break, rumors surfaced of potential replacements for Colapinto. Valtteri Bottas, a driver linked to Alpine for 2024, recently signed a deal with Cadillac for the 2026 season. Sergio Pérez’s name has also been associated with preliminary talks about a 2024 Alpine seat. Nevertheless, Briatore is reportedly undecided about parting ways with the young Argentine driver.
Despite the lack of results, Colapinto remains an asset to Alpine, bringing substantial financial backing and increased visibility in Argentina. His breakout performances with Williams last season established him as a rising star, though his current form has been inconsistent.
Alpine's Ongoing Struggles
The challenges with Colapinto are indicative of broader issues for Alpine in the 2023 Formula 1 season. The team has faced substantial difficulties, with Briatore openly recognizing the limitations of the car and possibly elevating Colapinto to Formula 1 too soon.
"I think for a driver it’s very difficult to cope with this car," Briatore explained. “Maybe it was not the [right] timing to have Franco in Formula 1; maybe he needed another year to be part of Formula 1.”
He added, "I'm not happy if you look at the results; that's what is important. He tried very hard. We tried very hard with the engineering [team] to please him in everything, but really it’s not what I expect from Colapinto."
As Alpine battles to improve its position in the standings, the team faces mounting pressure to make significant decisions regarding personnel and car development. Flavio Briatore’s acknowledgment of missteps in managing drivers reflects the complex dynamics of competing at the highest levels of motorsports.
Looking Ahead
Stay tuned for updates on Franco Colapinto’s future, Alpine’s strategies to rebound, and the latest from the Formula 1 paddock as the season moves toward its decisive stages.
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