Flavio Briatore has now changed his mind about Franco Colapinto’s future at Alpine

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Franco Colapinto has faced immense pressure from Flavio Briatore to keep his seat at Alpine, but now, the boss can see him having a long-term future.

The Argentine had a torrid 2025 campaign. After replacing Jack Doohan six races into the season, Colapinto scored no points and racked up more crash damage, which did not sit well with Briatore.

The Alpine boss had fought hard to get the 21-year-old in the seat, but there were soon rumours that Colapinto would be replaced mid-season. That did not materialise, but his form did not improve, leaving doubts about his future.

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Flavio Briatore wanted Franco Colapinto gone in 2026 – now he sees ‘absolutely no reason’ why he cannot stay long-term

Briatore wanted to sign Paul Aron in 2026 and was pushing to get Colapinto out of his seat. However, the Argentine was retained by Alpine, and under a new regulation cycle and engine deal with Mercedes, he has gone from strength to strength.

He scored his first point for the team in China before displaying remarkable form in North America. Colapinto finished a career-best P7 in Miami, which he then beat at the next race in Canada with P6.

Now sitting 11th in the standings, Briatore says Colapinto is proving people wrong, and the boss seems to have changed his mind about his future in F1.

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Speaking via The Race F1 Podcast at the event where Alpine announced their title sponsorship with Gucci, journalist Jon Noble was asked about what this meant for the future of their drivers. Pierre Gasly is on a long-term contract, and Briatore does not see why Colapinto cannot do the same.

“The big question mark has been Franco,” said Noble. “So, Franco had a very difficult time last season, but he’s pulled himself together over the winter. Had a tough start to this year, I think the first two races in particular didn’t look fantastic.

“It looked like Pierre had the measure of him and was going to be a bit of a struggle, but the turnaround since then has been immense. And Flavio was full of praise for Franco today, said he’s woken up.

“He realises the job he needs to do, he’s found some confidence through the better result that came in Miami, stopped being so obsessed with what Pierre’s doing, getting on, doing his own thing and just in a much happier place.

“And you gave the example of in Canada, Franco didn’t run in FP1, had a problem, which on a Sprint weekend isn’t great, and then in qualifying, bang, on the pace, delivered good results.

“So, he says there’s absolutely no reason why, if Franco keeps driving as he’s doing now, he doesn’t continue into ‘27, potentially into ‘28 and beyond.

“So the messaging from Flavio today, very much was these two drivers will remain on board for next season as long as Franco doesn’t have a dip.”