The world of Formula 1 is in shock after the recent statements that suggest that Franco Colapinto, the young Argentine pilot, could be considering terminating his contract with Alpine. The news comes after a complicated weekend at the Spain Grand Prix, where the performance of the French team and internal criticisms have generated a storm of speculation. What is happening with Colapinto and Alpine? Here we break down the details of this controversy that has captured the attention of fans.
The Spain Grand Prix, held at the Barcelona-Cataluña Circuit, was a challenge for Alpine. The team, which already crosses a difficult season, did not achieve the expected results. Pierre Gasly saved the weekend with an eighth place, adding four vital points for the team, which is in the last position of the Builders Championship with just 11 units. However, for Colapint, the weekend was a disaster. Long since the 18th position due to technical problems in the classification, the Argentine ended 15th, benefiting from abandonment and sanctions of other pilots, but without showing competitive performance.
The criticisms did not wait. Flavio Briatore, executive advisor to Alpine and a key figure in the arrival of Colapinto to the team, expressed its disappointment: “Franco’s afternoon was always going to be difficult, but it was a disappointing race, without progressing as much as we expected.” These words resonated strong, especially because Briatore has been a firm defender of Argentine’s talent since its incorporation. However, he was not the only one to point to Colapinto. According to Fuentes, some teammates would also have questioned their performance, increasing the pressure on the 21 -year -old.
Colapint’s response was not far behind. Frustrated by the technical problems and the low performance of the A525 car, the pilot showed his discontent. In a dialogue with his engineer, Stuart Barlow, after the race, apologized for the result, but also apologized from the team for the technical failures. “I do not understand what happened. It was a complicated race, with a lot of tire degradation,” Collapinto told ESPN, showing his concern about the lack of rhythm of the car. These tensions have led rumors that the Argentine would be evaluating his future with Alpine, even threatening to terminate his contract if the situation does not improve.
The context does not favor Alpine. The team has had a turbulent start of the season, with significant internal changes, such as the departure of director Oliver Oakes and the Assumption of Briatore as de facto leader. In addition, the relationship between Colapinto and Briatore seems to be at a critical point. Nico Rosberg, 2016 world champion, warned: “Colapint is on the wrong side of Flavio, and you don’t want to be there.” Rosberg also criticized Alpine’s management, suggesting that the team is not handling the situation well with its pilots, especially with Colapinto as a second pilot against Gasly.
The possibility that Colapint leaves Alpine has lit social networks, especially among Argentine fans, who have closely followed their meteoric ascent since their debut with Williams in 2024. At that time, Colapinto surprised the world with an eighth place in Azerbaijan, showing a talent that put it on the radar of teams such as Red Bull and Alpine. His arrival at the French team, with a five -year contract and a reported investment of 20 million dollars, generated high expectations. However, after three races without points (16th in Icola, 13th in Monaco and 15º in Spain), patience seems to be exhausted.
What’s still for Colapinto? The Canada Grand Prix, scheduled for June 15 at the Gilles Villeneuve circuit, will be crucial. The Argentine expressed optimism: “I’m eager to continue working with the team. There is much to learn.” However, rumors about a possible replacement, with names like Mick Schumacher on the horizon, add more pressure. Briatore, known for making drastic decisions, could opt for changes if the results do not arrive.
This situation not only affects Colapinto, but also questions Alpine’s strategy by 2025. Fans are divided: some support the Argentine and criticize the lack of support from the team, while others believe they must demonstrate more on the track. The truth is that Formula 1 does not expect, and Colapint must take every opportunity to silence its detractors. Will you manage to reverse the situation in Canada, or will this be the beginning of the end of your adventure with Alpine? The answer is in the asphalt.
