Overview

• After placing 18th in FP1, Franco Colapinto logged a career-best ninth for Alpine in FP2 on Friday before slipping to 20th in Saturday’s FP3 at Zandvoort.
• Alpine advisor Flavio Briatore said Colapinto’s performance is below expectations and suggested he may be under too much pressure or have needed more time before F1.
• Former Williams boss James Vowles publicly defended the Argentine, arguing reduced pressure brings out his best and citing a standout Silverstone outing as precedent.
• Colapinto described the A525 as unpredictable, saying small setup changes can produce big swings in grip, which he linked to inconsistent lap times.
• Alpine’s struggles continue with staff departures, including aerodynamic chief David Wheater, and a last-place position in the 2025 constructors’ standings, while an Ámbito AI model estimates a roughly 60% risk he lacks an F1 seat in 2026.