Alpine’s executive advisor, Flavio Briatore, has made an explosive statement that casts significant doubt on the Formula 1 prospects of the team’s highly-rated junior driver, Franco Colapinto. The return of the flamboyant and notoriously ruthless Italian to a position of power has signalled a period of major change for the struggling French team.
In a candid interview with the media, Briatore’s latest comments mark a stark departure from previous strategy. He delivered a brutal assessment of Alpine’s recent driver development philosophy. Dismissing the notion that the team will continue to nurture young talent, this puts Colapinto’s future at risk.
Briatore’s Brutal New Philosophy for Alpine
Flavio Briatore, a formidable and controversial figure in Formula 1, is best known for masterminding Benetton and Renault’s championship-winning eras with Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso. His return to Alpine as Executive Advisor was a clear signal that the parent company sought a return to its hard-nosed, winning ways.
🚨| From highs in the 90s to race fixing and a lifetime ban in the 2000s, Flavio Briatore is one of the most controversial characters in F1 history. But just how deep does his history go? 🤔https://t.co/qRXGE7VKUX
— Fastest Pitstop (@FastestPitStop) March 7, 2025
The core of Briatore’s criticism was a blunt condemnation of Alpine’s past approach, which he believes has failed. He asserted that the team must no longer promote drivers based on potential, insisting instead on acquiring only proven, ready-made talent who can deliver results from the moment they step into the car.
“For the future, honestly, I don’t know,” Briatore admitted. “For the young driver, to put in F1, maybe it was not the time to have Franco in F1,” he added. “Maybe he needed another year to be part of F1. And I’m not happy.”
These comments suggest Alpine will pivot away from its own academy system and towards the driver market’s biggest established names. Briatore’s management style has always been defined by a relentless, win-now attitude, and he has immediately begun implementing it.
The direct implication for Franco Colapinto
While not naming Franco Colapinto directly, the implication of Briatore’s new hardline stance is devastatingly clear. The 22-year-old Argentine joined Alpine as a reserve driver but replaced Jack Doohan after the Miami Grand Prix.
However, this season has not been what many hoped. Colapinto currently sits in 20th position and is yet to score a point. His struggles have raised some concerns about his performance for Alpine’s future.
💔| Franco Colapinto spoke post quali on his problems he faced before his attempted last run in Q1:
“Yeah… I don’t know. I didn’t know what to do. The car just… it wouldn’t move. Something broke.”
“I think we were very quick before that. We made a really good comeback after… pic.twitter.com/acUYqBh4qT
— Fastest Pitstop (@FastestPitStop) May 31, 2025
“I don’t think I need to see anything more,” Briatore told the media.“What is important is the results. He is trying very hard, we are trying very hard with the engineers to please him and everything, but really it’s not what I expected from Colapinto”.
This dramatic shift in strategy places Colapinto in a difficult position, severing his most logical route to an F1 debut and leaving his immediate future in serious doubt, likely dependent on opportunities elsewhere. Briatore’s pronouncement is a stark reminder of his ruthless reputation, moving the team’s goalposts decisively away from nurturing youth.
