Flavio Briatore Slams Alpine’s Five-Race Plan for Franco Colapinto
Former Formula 1 mogul Flavio Briatore has come out swinging against Alpine’s decision to grant Franco Colapinto five races in the prestigious motorsport series. Briatore, now at the helm of the French team, has expressed skepticism towards this strategy, hinting at a different approach for the young driver’s development.
Taking over leadership from Oliver Oakes as Team Principal, Briatore made it clear that he does not hold a specific job title within Alpine, with Racing Director Dave Greenwood serving as the team’s official representative. The controversial move to replace Jack Doohan with Colapinto for the next five races was met with resistance from Briatore, who emphasized the need for the Argentine to prove himself on the track.
In a statement released by Alpine before the Imola race weekend, it was announced that Colapinto would have the opportunity to showcase his skills in the upcoming races. However, Briatore’s recent comments to Sky Italy suggested a different narrative, casting doubt on the predetermined race limit for the young driver.
“I have to say, I also expected more from Jack Doohan – maybe he needs a break,” Briatore remarked, highlighting the performance expectations for both drivers. “Franco will race as much as needed – I read somewhere that he’ll have five races, but no, there’s no set limit on his races. He needs to be fast, not crash, and score points.”
Addressing the departure of Oakes, Briatore clarified that the resignation was due to a personal issue following the Miami race. Dismissing rumors of discord within the team, Briatore emphasized the unity among team members and his positive relationship with Oakes.
As the motorsport world eagerly anticipates Colapinto’s upcoming races, Briatore’s critical stance adds a layer of intrigue to Alpine’s strategic decisions. Will the young driver rise to the challenge and secure a permanent spot on the team, or will Briatore’s skepticism be justified? Only time will tell in this high-stakes world of Formula 1 racing.