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Briatore Drops Five-Race Limit for Colapinto in Alpine Seat Shake-Up

Alpine's interim chief Flavio Briatore emphasizes performance-based criteria for Franco Colapinto to retain his seat, as team governance and driver conduct draw scrutiny at Imola.

Formula One F1 - Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola, Italy - May 16, 2025 Alpine executive director and de facto team principal Flavio Briatore arrives ahead of practice REUTERS/Jakub Porzycki
Formula One F1 - Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola, Italy - May 17, 2025 Alpine's Franco Colapinto during practice REUTERS/Jakub Porzycki
Formula One F1 - Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola, Italy - May 16, 2025 Alpine's Franco Colapinto arrives ahead of practice REUTERS/Jakub Porzycki
Formula One F1 - Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola, Italy - May 16, 2025 Alpine's Franco Colapinto during practice REUTERS/Florion Goga

Overview

  • Flavio Briatore clarified that Franco Colapinto is not limited to a five-race stint with Alpine, despite earlier statements suggesting otherwise.
  • Colapinto's continued tenure depends on meeting three key performance criteria: driving fast, avoiding crashes, and scoring points.
  • The Argentine reserve driver faced criticism for on-track behavior during practice at Imola, including blocking incidents involving Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso.
  • Briatore remains the de facto Alpine team principal but lacks FIA recognition, with Dave Greenwood officially serving as the team's liaison.
  • The reshuffle follows Oliver Oakes's resignation as team principal, linked to personal reasons and legal issues involving his brother.