Franco Colapinto is trying “far more mature” forward of the 2026 Components 1 season, based on Alpine govt advisor Flavio Briatore.
The younger Argentinian is ready to contest his first full F1 marketing campaign, having beforehand stepped right into a race seat mid-season in 2024 with Williams after which once more at Alpine in 2025, changing Jack Doohan from the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix onwards.
Colapinto endured a troublesome 2025 marketing campaign as Alpine switched its focus early to the 2026 regulation overhaul, as he completed the season with out scoring a degree. This contrasted sharply together with his stint at Williams, the place he reached Q3 and scored his first factors in simply his second race, on the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Whereas he appeared to return beneath scrutiny at occasions from Briatore, Alpine in the end renewed its religion in Colapinto, saying a contract extension for 2026 final November through the Brazilian spherical.
“Final 12 months was Franco’s first 12 months in Components 1 [sic]. There have been numerous expectations, this and that. Every little thing was not managed correctly,” Briatore stated when requested by Motorsport.com whether or not Colapinto could be judged otherwise in 2026.
“This 12 months, you see Franco’s face and he’s far more mature. He’s now not just like the youngster we had final 12 months.”
Franco Colapinto, Alpine
Photograph by: Alpine
Throughout races final season, Colapinto typically confirmed comparable tempo to his extra skilled team-mate Pierre Gasly, however qualifying proved to be a weak spot. He ended the 12 months trailing Gasly 17–5 of their qualifying head-to-head.
“We spent numerous time with him this winter,” Briatore added. “Franco’s principal drawback was qualifying, as a result of within the race he was fast, like Pierre.
“He simply wanted to drive the automobile and qualify utilizing his expertise, not drive it emotionally. He’s rising. He’s excellent within the manufacturing facility. We spent numerous time within the simulator, numerous time within the simulator. We’ve finished every little thing it’s attainable to do.”
Colapinto echoed his boss’s feedback and burdened that Alpine should now ship outcomes, with the staff aiming to make a major step ahead after ending final within the 2025 constructors’ championship.
“As a staff, there aren’t any extra excuses,” Colapinto stated. “The ability unit has modified and the rules have modified. Now we’ve to place the work in and ship efficiency.
“Final 12 months we had been specializing in 2026, and now 2026 has arrived. It’s time to go and get the outcomes the staff deserves. Everybody has been working very arduous. Hopefully it’s a fast automobile. It appears good, hopefully it’s quick, and we are able to obtain the outcomes we count on.”
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