Flavio Briatore, the notorious figure in Formula 1, has thrown down the gauntlet for Franco Colapinto, hinting that the young driver’s fate at Alpine hangs in the balance based on his performance at the upcoming Spanish Grand Prix. This weekend’s race in Barcelona will serve as a litmus test for Colapinto as Alpine evaluates its pool of potential drivers for the 2026 season.
Colapinto, who recently debuted in FP1 at Imola and returned for a stint in Monaco, has yet to showcase his full potential due to limited track time. However, Briatore emphasized that the Spanish Grand Prix presents the first real opportunity to gauge the abilities of the Argentine talent in a competitive setting.
With tensions running high and the pressure mounting, all eyes will be on Colapinto as he takes to the track in Barcelona. Will he rise to the occasion and secure his spot as a future driver for Alpine, or will he falter under the scrutiny of the F1 world? Briatore’s words loom large: “If Colapinto performs, he drives. If not, we’ll see.” The stage is set for a make-or-break moment in Colapinto’s F1 journey, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
