Franco Colapinto much more mature, not the child of last year - Flavio Briatore

Franco Colapinto is looking “much more mature” ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 season, according to Alpine executive advisor Flavio Briatore.

The young Argentinian is set to contest his first full F1 campaign, having previously stepped into a race seat mid-season in 2024 with Williams and then again at Alpine in 2025, replacing Jack Doohan from the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix onwards.

Colapinto endured a difficult 2025 campaign as Alpine switched its focus early to the 2026 regulation overhaul, as he finished the season without scoring a point. This contrasted sharply with his stint at Williams, where he reached Q3 and scored his first points in just his second race, at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

While he appeared to come under scrutiny at times from Briatore, Alpine ultimately renewed its faith in Colapinto, announcing a contract extension for 2026 last November during the Brazilian round.

“Last year was Franco’s first year in Formula 1 [sic]. There were a lot of expectations, this and that. Everything was not managed properly,” Briatore said when asked by Motorsport.com whether Colapinto would be judged differently in 2026.

“This year, you see Franco’s face and he is much more mature. He’s no longer like the child we had last year.”

Franco Colapinto, Alpine

Photo by: Alpine

During races last season, Colapinto often showed comparable pace to his more experienced team-mate Pierre Gasly, but qualifying proved to be a weakness. He ended the year trailing Gasly 17–5 in their qualifying head-to-head.

“We spent a lot of time with him this winter,” Briatore added. “Franco’s main problem was qualifying, because in the race he was quick, like Pierre.

“He just needed to drive the car and qualify using his talent, not drive it emotionally. He’s growing. He’s very good in the factory. We spent a lot of time in the simulator, a lot of time in the simulator. We’ve done everything it’s possible to do.”

Colapinto echoed his boss’s comments and stressed that Alpine must now deliver results, with the team aiming to make a significant step forward after finishing last in the 2025 constructors’ championship.

“As a team, there are no more excuses,” Colapinto said. “The power unit has changed and the regulations have changed. Now we have to put the work in and deliver performance.

“Last year we were focusing on 2026, and now 2026 has arrived. It’s time to go and get the results the team deserves. Everyone has been working very hard. Hopefully it’s a quick car. It looks good, hopefully it’s fast, and we can achieve the results we expect.”