Franco Colapinto’s recent entry into the Alpine team has been quite tumultuous, showing flashes of potential but also facing significant hurdles.
- In Imola, Colapinto had the chance to step up for Alpine, replacing Jack Doohan, but it was a rocky start.
- At Monaco, a historically tricky circuit, Colapinto managed to keep the car intact despite a last-place qualification.
- The Spanish GP exposed further challenges, with Colapinto lagging behind his teammate Gasly.
- Telemetry data highlighted Colapinto’s difficulties, especially in high-speed corners, raising doubts about his confidence in the car.
Franco Colapinto’s debut with Alpine came amid expectations set due to Jack Doohan’s less-than-stellar performance and positive remarks from higher-ups at Alpine. On paper, the Argentine’s switch seemed promising, based on his previous stint with Williams. However, his first race with Alpine at Imola didn’t unfold as hoped. After losing control in Sector 1, Colapinto hit the barriers, leading to an early exit in Q1, while his teammate progressed to the top 10. This wasn’t the start he had envisioned, putting into question whether Franco was the right choice for Alpine.
Monaco, a track known for its challenging nature, didn’t present Franco with a chance to showcase car performance. Despite starting at the back of the pack, Colapinto completed the race without incident, marking a small victory in damage control. However, Alpine’s overall poor performance there, with Gasly only securing P18 in qualifying, further complicated matters. It was clear Colapinto’s reintroduction to F1 was poorly timed, aligning with the team’s broader struggles.
The Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona was anticipated to provide a clearer view of Colapinto’s adaptation, given it was a familiar testing ground. Yet, the results were disappointing. Colapinto finished at the bottom in both FP1 and FP2, starkly contrasted by Gasly’s commendable FP2 finish at eighth. Colapinto’s FP2 laps were notably slower, shedding light on his difficulty in trusting the car in high-speed areas. Particularly, Turn 2 and Turn 10 were problematic, where he hesitated with the throttle, incurring time losses. These telemetry insights showed a clear struggle with confidence alongside mechanical expertise.
Flavio Briatore’s remarks after Imola, which demanded rookies to avoid crashes, maintain speed, and secure points, added pressure to an already stressful situation for Colapinto. The young driver faces a critical period where trust in his machinery and environment will determine his trajectory in Formula 1. The pressure is immense as he realizes this stint could be his last chance. Focused on race simulations during FP2, Colapinto averaged over 1:21 per lap on hard tires, making direct performance comparisons tough. Expectations for gradual improvement remain, understanding that growth demands patience and support from Alpine.
Colapinto’s journey with Alpine highlights the challenges rookies face in Formula 1, underscoring the need for confidence and time to adapt.
