Ted Kravitz reveals what people in the F1 paddock are now saying about Franco Colapinto’s future

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When the chequered flag flew at the Belgian Grand Prix, there would have been contrasting emotions from either side of the Alpine garage.

On the one hand, Pierre Gasly drove an almost perfect race to score a precious point for Alpine by finishing 10th.

The Frenchman made up three places from qualifying and held off challenges from Yuki Tsunoda, Nico Hulkenberg and Oliver Bearman to add to his and Alpine’s points tally.

On the other hand, Franco Colapinto finished 19th, finishing 95 seconds behind Belgian Grand Prix race winner Oscar Piastri and only beating Isack Hadjar, who struggled with a technical issue throughout the race.

Colapinto failed to get out of Q1 during both qualifying sessions in Belgium and is currently the only active driver who has yet to score a point in the drivers’ championship.

Before the end of the race weekend, Ted Kravitz suggested Colapinto is under pressure and needs a good result soon.

Ted Kravitz added further information on the Argentine’s future after Sunday’s Grand Prix, and the general mood around the paddock regarding his future.

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Kravitz was speaking on Ted’s Notebook about each driver after the race weekend in Spa, and when moving onto Alpine and Colapinto, he said: “Franco Colapinto, not as lucky, in fact, he finished second-last to Isack Hadjar, who had a problem with his car.

“So, Colapinto was a two-stop, didn’t work out for him.

“Franco Colapinto, it would surprise no one in Formula 1 if Franco Colapinto wasn’t being challenged significantly for his seat now.

“Both by the original occupier, Jack Doohan and potentially by Valtteri Bottas.

“He was given another chance today, and he was 19th, so no points for him.

“At least he didn’t crash, but I feel desperately sorry for Franco Colapinto. I know he can be faster than that, but he’s just not got any confidence in the car at the moment.

“But see what happens in Hungary with that in a few days’ time on that front.”

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Alpine have options to replace Franco Colapinto if Flavio Briatore’s patience runs out

Colapinto has seven race weekends under his belt this season, but with no pre-season running and only a few private tests to fall back on, he was always going to be at a significant disadvantage.

There is very little difference between his performance level and that of Jack Doohan’s before he was dropped.

The issue for the 22-year-old is the plethora of options available to Flavio Briatore should he decide that Colapinto hasn’t done enough to justify his position on the grid.

A return for Doohan appears unlikely, but Alpine also have the highly-rated Paul Aron on their books as well.

Alpine reportedly have an offer on the table for Valtteri Bottas, with the Finn seeking a return to the F1 grid.

The Hungarian Grand Prix this weekend could potentially be Colapinto’s final race in the team if things don’t go his way.

He’ll know he needs to put in a performance that makes the decision for Briatore and Alpine’s bosses.