On Wednesday, the Formula 1 teams of Alpine and McLaren conducted tests at the Zandvoort circuit. Both carried out so-called TPC tests, special practice sessions with older cars. Notably, Franco Colapinto took the wheel of the Alpine car. The Argentine test and reserve driver recently received a promotion, taking over the seat from Jack Doohan. With the tests in Zandvoort, Colapinto can prepare for the upcoming Emilia-Romagna GP.
Many images of Franco Colapinto (photo: Connor Porter F1) driving the Alpine A523, the 2023 car, around the Zandvoort circuit are circulating on the internet. The 21-year-old driver took to the track both in the morning and in the afternoon. He was joined on the track by Formula 2 driver Alex Dunne, who drove a sponsorless MCL60 for McLaren. According to insiders, Colapinto clocked lap times of around 1 minute and 12 seconds. For comparison – last year, Lando Norris secured pole position with a time of 1:09.673, although the conditions were considerably more favorable then.
Colapinto’s day at Zandvoort was part of specially organized TPC tests (Testing of Previous Cars). During these sessions, Formula 1 teams can test without limits, provided they use cars that are at least two years old. These trial days are usually used to give young drivers experience or to allow drivers to acclimate to a new team. In addition, the teams collect extra data and can try out new methods or integrate new personnel.
Franco Colapinto and Alex Dunne at the Zandvoort circuit:
