It was an intense weekend, marked by an avoidable incident, a rookie who continues to grow, and a team principal unwilling to make excuses. It is not an easy balance to draw, but it perfectly reflects where the team stands today: competitive, vulnerable, and forced to turn every mistake into a step forward.
Gasly crashes out, Colapinto capitalises: two races, two realities
Pierre Gasly made a strong start—perhaps too strong. He gained positions, avoided Max Verstappen’s spin, and then found himself pulled back into the pack.
“I was confident about our pace… I knew we had the potential to score a lot of points.”
His race slipped away at the most unexpected moment: the contact with Lawson, the rollover, the fear.
“It’s really scary to end up flipping over… the incident was totally avoidable.”
Gasly did not raise his voice, but the disappointment was clear. The car was competitive, the points were within reach, and everything disappeared due to someone else’s mistake.
“I’m especially disappointed for the team… we deserved points.”
On the other side of the garage, Franco Colapinto experienced a completely different Sunday: solid, clean, almost clinical.
“I scored more points by finishing eighth… we maximised everything we could.”
His race was smooth, without major incidents or errors.
“It was a bit of a lonely race… but the pace was solid and we managed everything well.”
He is a rookie developing quietly, making very few mistakes and delivering exactly what is needed: points, consistency, reliability—and above all, a clear message. The car works, and when incidents are avoided, results follow.
Briatore offers no excuses: disappointment, confirmation and a warning ahead of Canada
Flavio Briatore analysed the weekend with the clarity of someone who refuses to be distracted by the chaos.
“For Pierre it is a disappointing result… the car was clearly in contention for points.”
He does not assign internal blame, but neither does he downplay the situation: the incident was avoidable, and the potential was wasted. When speaking about Franco Colapinto, however, his tone changes.
“He met our expectations… the car is competitive.”
It is full recognition, but also a warning: this level must become the norm, not the exception. Then comes the most significant part, the one looking beyond Miami: “We have many things to review before Canada… some new elements may not have delivered the improvements Pierre expected.”
It is a statement that carries weight: not every update worked as intended, and the team is fully aware of it. Finally, a formal but meaningful acknowledgment: “Congratulations to the FIA and Formula 1 for the decision to bring the start forward…”
It is Flavio Briatore’s way of underlining that while the team has potential, execution and context remain crucial—and must be managed with precision going forward.
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