Franco Colapinto, driver for the Alpine team in Formula 1, has shared his experience working with Flavio Briatore, executive director of the team. In a context where Alpine seeks to regain its prestige in the top category of motorsport, Colapinto has revealed that Briatore’s demanding approach is key to achieving success.
After a challenging 2025 season, Alpine is once again competing to lead the midfield grid. However, its goal is much more ambitious, and Briatore, 76, plays a decisive role in its strategic vision. Colapinto, 23, acknowledged that although Briatore can be tough in his manner of speaking, this rigor is necessary to close the gap with top teams like Ferrari, Red Bull, Mercedes, and McLaren.
A notable example of this approach was Briatore’s reaction after the Canadian Grand Prix, where Alpine managed to finish in sixth and eighth positions. While the team celebrated this result as a success, Briatore was not satisfied. ‘He was the most discontent of all,’ Colapinto recalled, explaining that his concern lay in the distance to Ferrari, expressing his desire to see immediate improvements.
Colapinto has described Briatore as a ‘competitive animal’ with a single mission: to bring the Enstone team back to the top. This approach, he says, is fundamental to maintaining pressure and the goal of achieving more, regardless of how things are going. ‘We are not just happy to be the top of the midfield, we want to aspire to more,’ he said.
Collaboration with Gucci
In addition to sporting ambitions, Alpine has announced a prominent partnership with the Gucci brand as the main sponsor for the upcoming season. Colapinto sees this deal as confirmation that the team is on an upward trajectory after a difficult season. The presence of such a prestigious brand as Gucci indicates that the team has potential and that its project is appealing.
With Gucci’s support, the team will have more financial flexibility, a crucial aspect that Colapinto considers powerful if they want to compete with the giants of Formula 1. Despite not having a contract for 2027, internal team postings have generated optimism for the future. ‘I am very motivated by the new partnerships and rich opportunities with Gucci,’ concluded Colapinto.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
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