Alpine’s Briatore Admits Error with Colapinto in F1: Excessive Pressure?

Briatore Admits Possible Error in Colapinto’s Management at Alpine

Alpine boss Flavio Briatore has acknowledged that he may have made a mistake in the management of Argentinian driver Franco Colapinto, by putting him under too much pressure during this Formula 1 season. Colapinto hasn’t managed to score points since replacing Jack Doohan at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix in June. The Argentinian, who was signed as a reserve driver at the beginning of the year, generated great expectation, which in turn increased the pressure on Doohan, evidenced by his difficulties in the six races prior to being replaced. Briatore now considers the change of drivers as a possible mistake.

“We changed to Doohan for Franco and maybe he has the same problem of too much pressure to be in Formula 1,” commented Briatore. “Maybe we put too much pressure on him. We need to consider sometimes that the driver is a human being and we need to understand exactly what is going on in their minds, because they are young; 19, 20, 22, 23 years old.”

Flavio Briatore, Head of Alpine

“Sometimes we underestimate the human part of the pilot. We are always looking for time. Maybe I missed something in the management of the pilot,” he added.

The image description is: Franco Colapinto and Flavio Briatore from Alpine in the paddock earlier this year. Colapinto’s future with Alpine beyond this season is uncertain, although he is on loan from Williams and has a long-term contract. Before the summer break, there was speculation that Alpine would sign Valtteri Bottas to replace him, but the Finnish driver signed with Cadillac for the 2026 season. Sources reported that both Bottas and his new teammate for 2026, Sergio Pérez, spoke with Alpine about the possibility of replacing Colapinto next season, but Briatore is not yet ready to make a decision on whether to part ways with the Argentinian. Colapinto has provided significant financial support to the team, after rising to fame in his home country thanks to his impressive results for Williams last season. Alpine is in last place in the championship, with its 20 points scored solely by Pierre Gasly.

“I think it’s very difficult for a driver to deal with this car,” Briatore said. “Maybe it wasn’t the right time for Franco to be in Formula 1, maybe he needed another year to be part of Formula 1.”

Flavio Briatore, Alpine Boss

“I’m not happy if you look at the results, that’s what matters. He tried very hard. We worked very hard with the engineering team to please him in everything, but it’s really not what I expect from Colapinto,” he concluded.