Flavio Briatore DENIES Franco Colapinto deadline in....

Flavio Briatore DENIES Franco Colapinto deadline in….read more

Alpine’s executive advisor, Flavio Briatore, has addressed recent speculation surrounding the contract of Franco Colapinto, firmly denying that the young Argentine driver will only participate in five Formula 1 races with the team. The comments come amid growing confusion about Colapinto’s role at Alpine following his sudden entry into the F1 grid and the early exit of Jack Doohan.

Colapinto recently joined Alpine’s Formula 1 setup, stepping into a race seat that many assumed belonged to Doohan for a longer duration. Doohan, who had been given just six races to prove himself despite his rookie status, was unexpectedly replaced, sparking rumors about Colapinto’s own contract limitations. Reports emerged suggesting that the 21-year-old Colapinto would only compete in five Grand Prix events before his future with the team would be reassessed.

However, Briatore has moved swiftly to dismiss such claims, calling them inaccurate and misleading. “There is no five-race limit on Colapinto’s involvement,” he stated. “This idea that he’s only with us for a handful of races is simply not true. We are evaluating our talent continuously, but he has our full backing.”

The situation arose after Alpine made what many in the paddock viewed as an abrupt decision to part ways with Doohan. The young Australian driver had only been given six races behind the wheel to prove his capability, an unusually short trial period for someone new to Formula 1. While Alpine cited performance metrics and strategic planning in their reasoning, the move was met with criticism from fans and pundits alike who believed Doohan deserved more time.

Colapinto, who had been part of the Williams Driver Academy and recently made a name for himself in Formula 2, was a surprise addition to Alpine’s lineup. Known for his raw talent and competitive edge, the Argentine had long been on the radar of several F1 teams. His promotion to a race seat, however, was seen by some as premature, particularly when paired with the idea that his contract was limited to just a few races.

This narrative was reinforced by anonymous team sources, who reportedly leaked details about internal team discussions suggesting that Colapinto’s spot was part of a rotational development program. Such rumors have now been directly contradicted by Briatore’s public statement, which aimed to clarify Alpine’s strategy and reaffirm confidence in the young driver.

“We are not in the business of trialing drivers without commitment,” Briatore continued. “Franco is a part of our long-term vision. He is not here just to fill a seat temporarily. We believe in his potential and want to help him grow within the team.”

Despite the strong words from Briatore, some insiders remain skeptical. Alpine’s history with driver management has been turbulent, with several promising young drivers moving in and out of the organization in recent years. The swift removal of Doohan has only added to the perception of instability.

Fans of Colapinto, on the other hand, have welcomed Briatore’s defense. Supporters in Argentina and across the world have expressed excitement about seeing their national talent represented on the F1 stage. Many believe Colapinto has the potential to become a mainstay in the sport if given proper support and time to adapt to the top level of motorsport.

As the F1 season progresses, all eyes will be on Colapinto and Alpine. Whether Briatore’s words hold true over the long run remains to be seen, but for now, the young driver appears to have the team’s backing and a real opportunity to make his mark in Formula 1.

In a sport where uncertainty and political maneuvering are often as prominent as on-track performance, Franco Colapinto’s journey with Alpine will surely be one to watch closely in the coming weeks and months.