Franco Colapinto: Briatore helped me become stronger

      The head of the Alpine team, Flavio Briatore, initiated the contract with Franco Colapinto, who made a bright debut with Williams last year. During the season the young Argentine replaced Jack Doohan in the Alpine lineup, but did not achieve great success and soon became the target of criticism from management – it’s not certain that his contract will be extended.

      On the Beyond the Grid podcast Colapinto said that Flavio Briatore’s tough approach helps him become stronger…

      Franco Colapinto: “I have a very good relationship with Flavio, and as for the criticism – he’s strict with everyone. It’s his way of motivating people and getting the team to work. From the outside it can look very harsh, even too harsh, but only if you don’t know him. But I believe in Briatore, in the fact that he will help the team return to the top.

      This year I’ve learned a lot from him; I’ve become stronger psychologically. I’m very grateful to him for the opportunity, for this experience. Judging by the results you could say that our team has found itself in a very difficult situation, but we are not giving up.

      I’m not thinking about the future yet. I’m focused on solving the tasks that currently face us. I continue to work on myself. I still have a lot to learn and a lot to discover this year.

      It’s no secret that our car isn’t as good as we’d like. It doesn’t allow us to score points, but our time will come, and I must be ready for that. Right now the main thing is to move from race to race, from moment to moment, and see where we end up.”