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Flavio Briatore offers rare praise for Franco Colapinto as he fights to keep Alpine F1 seat
Alpine advisor Flavio Briatore has praised Franco Colapinto for his improved consistency as he competes to retain his drive with the team for 2026. Pierre Gasly’s teammate for the upcoming season is still uncertain, as Alpine has yet to make a decision. Colapinto stepped in for Jack Doohan before the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, but he has struggled to perform as effectively as during his brief stint with Williams last year. While Gasly has managed to secure 20 points for the team despite Alpine’s struggles in the standings this year, Colapinto’s form has raised doubts about his future with the team. Briatore highlighted Colapinto’s recent progress but emphasized the need for a few more races to properly evaluate his performance. Additionally, talks with Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez have not resulted in a move to Alpine, with both drivers opting for Cadillac next season. If Colapinto loses his spot at Red Bull, he may face challenges from Doohan, Paul Aron, and potentially Yuki Tsunoda. Despite facing uncertainties, Briatore remains optimistic about Colapinto’s potential and is closely monitoring his development over the remaining races of the season.
