Flavio Briatore has cooled his early enthusiasm for Franco Colapinto, suggesting the young Argentine still has a lot to prove in Formula 1.
Following Jack Doohan's ousting, Alpine installed 21-year-old Colapinto in the race seat. The team's statement at the time quoted Briatore as saying the rookie was guaranteed five races — but the outspoken Italian quickly walked that back, telling reporters there's no set race limit.
"For me, it's a huge compliment to know that Flavio was the one who believed in me," Colapinto told Spanish-language reporters in Barcelona. "Just like he believed in Fernando (Alonso).
"He (Briatore) is a legend. There's this feeling that he's pushing the team back to the top, where it deserves to be."
Colapinto's team debut at Imola, however, was the scene of a major crash — the opposite of what Briatore had publicly asked for from his new charge.
Monaco wasn't much better, but the rookie remains confident improvement is on the horizon. "It's going to take a couple of races," he said. "After listening to Carlos (Sainz) and Lewis (Hamilton), who changed teams, they still don't feel like they're reaching the car's top speed.
"So I think there's a lot more to come from me soon."
Yet Briatore, 75, appears less enthusiastic than he was when Colapinto was first announced. When asked whether Alpine already has its ideal driver line-up, he replied bluntly: "The easiest way to win is to sign Max Verstappen, but we can't do that.
"So we have to make do with what we have."
He was more generous when speaking about Pierre Gasly.
"Pierre is very good, but he needs to be a bit more focused. But in a good car he can be a top driver. You either have speed or you don't. And Pierre has it," Briatore told Le Monde.
As for Colapinto, his pace is not in question — but his ability to manage the pressure is.
"He is fast, but he still can't handle the pressure well," Briatore confirmed. "If you are fast, but you go into the wall, then the speed is of no use to you."
One upside for Alpine is Colapinto's strong support back home. His campaign is heavily backed by both state and corporate entities in Argentina.
"It's fantastic," said Colapinto. "In Argentina, they are very passionate and really wanted someone back in Formula 1 after so many years.
"I'm enjoying the moment and I hope the Argentinians are too."
Within the paddock, it's widely expected that Alpine will stick with Gasly and Colapinto heading into the 2026 season.
"In 2026, we can win races," Briatore declared. "And, in 2027, we're preparing for the world championship."
Next season, Alpine will switch to customer Mercedes engines for F1's new regulations — a move Briatore says the team must capitalise on.
"This is a transitional season for us," he explained. "All of our efforts are already focused on next year's car.
"We must take advantage of the new regulations. On the other side, we have no more excuses — we must be competitive. We owe it to Renault, Alpine and Luca de Meo."
