Former F1 team boss Flavio Briatore has thrown his weight behind Franco Colapinto, describing the Argentine reserve driver as “one of the most important assets” for Alpine’s future.
The endorsement from the man who discovered Michael Schumacher and shaped Fernando Alonso’s career adds further intrigue to Alpine’s driver situation.
Briatore praises Colapinto
Briatore, known for his eye for talent, praised not only Colapinto’s driving abilities but also his professional approach. “Franco is a very, very good driver,” Briatore stated. “He’s doing some experience, but we believe in Franco. We’re fighting for having Franco in the team.” The Italian manager particularly emphasised Colapinto’s work ethic and relationship with the team, noting, “He has a very good conversation with all the engineering. He’s working very hard in this moment with us.”
For Colapinto, Briatore’s interest represents a significant endorsement. “Having him keeping an eye on me, wanting to sign me, and calling me to finalize the deal we had with Williams, was an honour,” the Argentine driver revealed. “He was the one who discovered Schumi and also the one who shaped Fernando. So, [Briatore] is someone with a lot of history in F1, and he bets on what he truly believes in, on where he thinks things should go. And so far, he hasn’t been wrong.”
Doohan denies speculation
However, current Alpine driver Jack Doohan has firmly rejected speculation about his F1 seat being under threat. Speaking at the F1 75 event in London, the Australian, who is preparing for his first full F1 season, dismissed concerns about Colapinto’s reserve driver role. “I’ve been told he’s the reserve driver,” Doohan stated. “I think, regardless, you’re one of 20 drivers in the world [racing in F1], and I know that when I was a go karter or racing in F3, Formula 2, I would have done anything to get into Formula 1 and would have sacrificed everything.”
Doohan drew parallels to his own previous position with the team, adding, “I was a 21-year-old reserve driver last year on a long-term contract. Maybe I should, but I don’t really understand that as a question.”
The timing of these developments gains additional significance given Alpine’s recent signing of Latin American e-commerce giant Mercado Libre as a sponsor. While Doohan maintains he has a contract for the full season, former F1 driver Roberto Merhi has suggested the Australian might have as few as five races to prove himself.
Briatore’s closing remarks about Colapinto seemed particularly pointed in this context: “The promise is we try all the best to make Franco in the position to do the job. This is what we need to do. We do all the effort with the engineering to make sure he has the right car to do the job. And after, we’ll see.”
Feature Image Credit: Flavio Briatore | X
