Alpine executive advisor Flavio Briatore has retracted his earlier assertion that rookie Franco Colapinto is assured only the next five Formula 1 races in the seat previously held by Jack Doohan.
Following the recent Miami Grand Prix, the Enstone-based outfit revealed plans to "rotate" the second driver position alongside Pierre Gasly. In the official announcement, Briatore was quoted as stating: "Having reviewed the opening races of the season, we have come to the decision to put Franco in the car alongside Pierre for the next five races."
At Imola, numerous F1 drivers expressed disapproval of Alpine's abrupt decision to replace Doohan after just six races and to seemingly limit Colapinto, another rookie, to a five-race tenure.
Colapinto himself voiced uncertainty about the brief opportunity, remarking: "After you heard Carlos (Sainz) saying that he needs like ten races to get used to a car, I think five is not enough for me. But it is what I have and I just want to maximise it, enjoy it and try to do the best for the team."
Rumours suggest Briatore's reference to a five-race stint was a strategic move to exert pressure on Colapinto's wealthy sponsors. However, in Imola, he refuted claims of a fixed timeline, stating: "It's not that a driver gets three or five races, but that I was disappointed with Doohan. I expected more from Jack, but maybe he needs a break.
"The team will have to decide how many races Colapinto will do. I read somewhere that he has five races, but we haven't actually set a limit on the number of races he can do."
Briatore emphasised that Colapinto's long-term retention hinges on three straightforward criteria: "Drive fast, don't crash the car, score points. I don't expect ten things from him, but if he does those three, he will always race. If he does well, he'll stay forever, not for five races."
On Friday, Colapinto lagged behind Gasly's pace and drew ire from peers for impeding on track. Max Verstappen, referring to him as "this guy," accused the Argentine of exploiting DRS to block his Red Bull.
Dutch commentator Olav Mol, speaking to Ziggo Sport, noted: "I think everyone was annoyed by Franco Colapinto. He also held up Fernando Alonso a lot and he was also a big obstacle for Lewis Hamilton.
"I'm not going to make myself popular, but I don't really like Colapinto. The whole world is running after him and shouting that he's so good. All of Argentina calls him the best invention since running water. I don't believe any of it."
Elsewhere, Oliver Oakes, who resigned as Alpine team principal amid alleged ties to his brother Williams' legal issues, reappeared in the Formula 2 paddock at Imola.
Briatore has assumed de-facto leadership of Alpine, though the FIA does not recognise him as the official team principal due to his non-employee status and lack of an appropriate licence. For now, Dave Greenwood serves as the team's official liaison.
Briatore commented: "As far as the role of team principal is concerned, I need to assess the situation. For now I'm taking over, but I'm used to that. It's not my first day."
