Flavio Briatore is “not happy at all” with Colapinto’s performances so far.

Alpine have shown they’re not afraid to shake up their driver lineup mid-season, following a similar approach to Red Bull. Just six rounds into the 2025 campaign, they made the bold call to replace Jack Doohan with Franco Colapinto.

Although widely expected, the decision was seen as Alpine’s major driver move for the year. The team had invested heavily to bring Colapinto over from Williams, cutting his prior contract short and signing him on a multi-year deal—a clear sign of their long-term commitment.

But despite Alpine’s confidence, team advisor Flavio Briatore hasn’t been satisfied with the Argentine’s performance so far.

Colapinto’s Rocky Start

Stepping into an F1 seat mid-season is never straightforward, especially with modern testing restrictions. Colapinto did log significant mileage in older Alpine cars earlier in the year, but he had no prior experience with the current A525 before being thrown into competitive action.

His return at Imola was far from ideal. A crash during qualifying not only dented his confidence but also cost the team in repairs. For any rookie, early mistakes are understandable. However, the pressure on Colapinto is higher than most due to the expectations set around his signing.

Drivers like Isack Hadjar have also made mistakes this year—such as his Australian GP warm-up lap crash—but quickly recovered. Colapinto, meanwhile, is under the microscope after replacing a driver who wasn’t performing badly.

Doohan’s exit was more about Briatore’s confidence in Colapinto than any glaring issue with the Australian’s form. Yet that confidence is now being tested.

Briatore’s Assessment So Far

Speaking to Sky Germany, Briatore didn’t hold back in his critique of the 22-year-old:

“He had an accident straight away during his first weekend. If I said I was pleased, I’d be lying. I’m not happy. We’ll have to wait and see how the season progresses for him.”

He acknowledged the pressures facing Colapinto—not just from within the team, but also from his home country. Still, Briatore insists it’s time for the young driver to settle in and deliver results.

“He’s now raced in Monaco, spent time in the factory and on the simulator. The Spanish Grand Prix is the first real opportunity to show what he’s made of.”

“This sport requires drivers to rebuild their confidence quickly, and I believe Franco has the strength to do that. But we need to see it happen soon.”

Pressure Still On

While Colapinto isn’t likely to lose his seat immediately, he’s not fully secure either. Alpine have other talents waiting in the wings, including reserve driver Paul Aron, should things go south.

Rumors have even linked Sergio Perez to a potential switch to Alpine—adding another layer of uncertainty.

For now, Colapinto has a bit more breathing room than Doohan did, but unless he starts challenging for points soon, his place in the team could again come under review.