Flavio Briatore doubts Franco Colapinto’s immediate future

The management of Franco Colapinto, amid pressure from an experienced teammate, the complexity of the car, and technical expectations, now puts his immediate future into question.

Flavio Briatore, who had strongly advocated for Franco Colapinto to replace Jack Doohan, seems to be confronting a more complex reality than initially anticipated. The young Argentine driver, while clearly talented, struggles to maintain consistency with the car and was once again outpaced by his more experienced teammate Pierre Gasly during the latest qualifying session at Zandvoort.

The Italian executive spoke about the challenges faced by his driver with a frankness rarely seen in Formula 1 teams: “Last year he performed very well, but placing him in a context alongside a strong driver like Pierre Gasly may have imposed excessive pressure. We must not forget that we are talking about drivers aged between 19 and 23, and underestimating the human aspect of a driver is a mistake. I probably made some errors myself, and I cannot say with certainty what his future will be.”

Briatore also highlighted how the technical complexity of modern Formula 1 cars has made Colapinto’s task even more difficult: “These cars are heavy, fast, and complex to manage. Perhaps it wasn’t the right moment to bring Franco into Formula 1. He may have needed one or two more years to mature before tackling a full season. He works very hard, tirelessly with the engineers, but the concrete results are not what I expect. In the end, what matters is going fast: if he wants to stay, he has to prove it.”

Alpine: Colapinto heading for a potential exit at year-end

Behind these words lies a hint of commercial strategy. The decision to promote Colapinto, replacing Doohan, was partly motivated by the marketing potential and international visibility that a young Argentine talent could bring. However, balancing marketing needs with on-track performance remains one of the most complex dilemmas for Formula 1 teams, and managing young drivers often becomes a delicate exercise between sporting expectations and media pressure.

In this context, Briatore appears aware of the risks associated with managing rookie drivers: he acknowledges the importance of considering psychological aspects, car adaptation, and sporting maturity—elements that can determine a driver’s future in such a competitive world championship. Colapinto, although motivated and diligent, now finds himself at a crossroads: adapt quickly to an extremely demanding environment or risk slowing his ascent in the world of Formula 1.