Alpine executive advisor Flavio BriatoreCoach·Flavio Briatore has delivered his strongest endorsement yet of Franco ColapintoPlayer·Franco Colapinto following the Argentine driver's impressive sixth-place finish at the Canadian Grand PrixCompetition·Canadian Grand Prix, where he outpaced teammate Pierre GaslyPlayer·Pierre Gasly by two positions.
The result marked a remarkable turnaround in Briatore's assessment of Colapinto, who endured heavy criticism from the Italian executive during his difficult debut season in 2025.
"Colapinto has the talent to be one of the best drivers," Briatore told Italian media. "Last year he was criticised by everyone and people asked me why I signed him, telling me it was a mistake."
Colapinto's sixth-place finish in Montreal represented his best Formula 1Competition·Formula 1 result to date and helped Alpine secure their strongest team performance of the 2026 season, with Gasly finishing eighth. The double points finish lifted Alpine to fifth in the constructors' championship standings.
Briatore's praise reflected the dramatic evolution in his relationship with the 22-year-old driver. Last season, the former Benetton and Renault team principal was among Colapinto's harshest critics, frequently questioning his readiness for Formula 1Competition·Formula 1 and threatening early contract termination.
"What Franco did in Canada is not something every driver can achieve," Briatore continued. "Last year Franco was still a boy, now he is more mature and handled very strong pressure."
The transformation has been stark. Colapinto failed to score a single point across 18 races in 2025, consistently trailing Gasly in both qualifying and race performance as Alpine finished last in the constructors' championship.
This season tells a different story. Colapinto has accumulated 20 points from the opening races, with his breakthrough coming at the Chinese Grand Prix where he secured his first Formula 1Competition·Formula 1 point with a tenth-place finish. His Canadian performance elevated him further up the standings and demonstrated the consistency that eluded him during his maiden campaign.
The Argentine's improved form has coincided with Alpine's resurgence. The team has scored points in every race of the 2026 season and climbed to fifth in the constructors' standings following their Miami double points finish.
Briatore's comments also carried implications for Alpine's 2027 driver lineup. "For 2027 we only have a contract with Gasly," he revealed. "I hope Franco will continue to perform this well until the end of the season."
The statement suggests Colapinto's future with Alpine remains dependent on maintaining his current trajectory, despite the dramatic improvement in both performance and relationship with team management.
Colapinto's journey from criticism to praise exemplifies the unforgiving nature of Formula 1Competition·Formula 1, where fortunes can shift dramatically between seasons. His Canadian Grand PrixCompetition·Canadian Grand Prix performance not only silenced his critics but positioned him as a genuine contender for a long-term seat with Alpine.
Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto on race day at the Canadian Grand Prix 2026. Credit: Gregoire Truchet/IMAGO
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