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Flavio Briatore has claimed that he has always ‘protected’ and ‘defended’ Franco Colapinto at Alpine amid rumours linking Fernando Alonso with a move to the team.
Despite approaching his late 40s and enduring a nightmare season at Aston Martin, Alonso was recently linked with Alpine, which sent shockwaves through the Formula 1 paddock.
A move back to Alpine for Alonso would likely result in Colapinto making way, especially with the fact that Pierre Gasly is contracted until the end of the 2028 season.
In addition, Colapinto endured a tough 2025; the young Argentine was facing heavy criticism and was under huge pressure to perform.
However, in 2026, Colapinto has managed to step up his game, scoring 16 points so far this season.
Although he is still a long way off Gasly, who has racked up 41 points, the 23-year-old has now been praised by Briatore.
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Flavio Briatore says Franco Colapinto has ‘matured a lot’ at Alpine
Speaking recently to Italian news outlet Moto.It, Briatore claimed that Colapinto is ‘no longer’ feeling the pressure of not knowing where his future lies.
The 76-year-old admitted that ‘many people’ wanted Colapinto to be replaced last year, but Briatore was on hand to ‘protect’ and ‘defend’ the young driver.
Despite praising him, Briatore did warn Colapinto that there is still plenty of time for Alpine to ‘evaluate’ his performances.
The Italian went on to say that there has been a ‘change’ in Colapinto, especially in his maturity and his relationship with the team’s engineers.
Briatore said: “He no longer feels the pressure of not knowing what his future holds. Many people wanted him out last year, but I defended and protected him. The kid has talent.
“We need to figure out exactly what that translates to in terms of lap time. We have plenty of time to evaluate him.
“In any case, his relationship with the engineers has changed. Franco has matured a lot. I keep asking him if he has a brother, because last year he was a completely different person.”
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Last month, Colapinto secured the best-ever finish of his F1 career so far, after coming home sixth at the Canadian Grand Prix ahead of Liam Lawson and Gasly.
The result in Canada came after Colapinto had finished seventh at the Monaco Grand Prix, which at the time was the Argentine’s best finishing position in F1.
Looking ahead, it is clear that Colapinto will have to continue improving as Briatore is known for his no-nonsense style and could pull the trigger on the 23-year-old’s future at any given time.
The 2026 F1 season will resume this weekend with the Austrian Grand Prix, taking place around the Red Bull Ring.
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