Rookie Franco Colapinto Struggles to Find Confidence in Alpine’s F1 Car Ahead of Monaco Grand Prix
Young gun Franco Colapinto is on a mission to master Alpine’s F1 car as he heads into the Monaco Grand Prix weekend. The 21-year-old driver is still grappling with confidence behind the wheel, especially on challenging tracks like Monaco, Baku, and Singapore.
After a tough debut at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, where a crash during qualifying and a poorly-timed yellow flag thwarted his progress, Colapinto is keen to make a mark in Monaco. Despite his experience in simulators and older Alpine models, pushing the limits of the 2025 car remains a work in progress for the Argentinian driver.
Colapinto acknowledges the steep learning curve, stating, “I’m still lacking a bit of that confidence with the car – that is normal after only one race weekend. There’s a lot of pace and a lot of confidence still coming with the car.”
The street circuit of Monaco poses a new challenge for Colapinto, who emphasizes the importance of gradually building up his confidence throughout the sessions. He aims to replicate his progress in Imola, where he closed the gap with each session.
The rookie driver highlights the need for more seat time to bridge the gap with his competitors, noting that he has only completed one race compared to others who have already raced seven times this year. Colapinto stresses that familiarity with the car’s limits comes with experience, and he is focused on gaining more track time to improve.
In addition to his on-track challenges, Colapinto addresses the online abuse directed at his fellow drivers, urging fans to show respect. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining sportsmanship and respect for all competitors, calling for a more positive and supportive fan culture.
As Colapinto navigates the complexities of F1 racing, all eyes are on him as he strives to make his mark on the sport. Will Monaco be the turning point for the young driver as he battles to find his confidence and pace in Alpine’s F1 car?
