Franco Colapinto was given just five races to prove himself at Alpine. After four races, the Argentine’s return has been less than impressive, sparking a flurry of rumors. Team boss Flavio Briatore has previously criticized his protégé’s performance, but now dismisses any speculation that the Austrian Grand Prix could be his last. “What rumors?” he retorts.
Franco Colapinto has now driven four races for Alpine as a replacement for Jack Doohan. In the first three weekends, the Argentine was unable to make a significant impact against teammate Pierre Gasly, but he made a clear step forward during the Canadian Grand Prix: he qualified twelfth and finished thirteenth on Sunday – both times ahead of the Frenchman.
Interestingly, when Alpine announced the driver switch, they openly communicated that 22-year-old Colapinto had only signed a contract for five races. During a press conference in Barcelona, team boss Flavio Briatore emphasized once again that there are no guarantees. “It all depends on performance. We only judge on that, nothing else.” After the Spanish Grand Prix, Briatore’s tone was even sharper. “I am not at all satisfied,” he told the German branch of Sky Sports F1.
Misinformation
The team only scored eleven points through Pierre Gasly and is firmly at the bottom of the constructors’ championship, but Briatore dismisses all rumors that Colapinto is under any form of pressure. He was asked about the ‘rumors’ surrounding the young Argentine in an interview with the Argentine La Voz del Interior. “What rumors?” Briatore retorted. The journalist clarified that Colapinto is ‘constantly being evaluated’. “I don’t think there are any rumors,” the Italian stated. “The team is fine with Franco, period. He is part of the team, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
When the name of Alpine reserve driver Paul Aron was mentioned as a possible replacement, Briatore reacted strongly. “The problem is that the press publishes a lot of rubbish,” he said visibly irritated, even making it personal. “It’s your fault, not ours. All these stories come from Argentina. Don’t ask me, you keep shouting ‘Franco this, Franco that’.”
Support
Briatore fiercely defended his stance. “In fact, if you continue like this,” he continued, “it’s not good for Franco at all. If you’re really a professional and have his best interests at heart, you should support him, not push him.”
Finally, Briatore was asked if Colapinto is facing a deadline to prove himself. “I’ve already said: the only deadline is for you,” he said somewhat threateningly. “We need to support Franco. He’s young, a good asset for Argentine sport, and he’s doing well. We need to support him and so should Argentina. Forget those rumors. If there are rumors, ask me.”
