Colapinto's future is in doubt as rumors about Tsunoda surface.

      "We had no one we could truly rely on."

      Franco Colapinto’s prospects in Formula 1 are being reevaluated with rumors suggesting that Alpine might consider Yuki Tsunoda for 2027. The Argentine enjoys substantial support, both commercially and politically, and recently participated in a major promotional event in Buenos Aires, reportedly attracting a crowd of 600,000. In an effort to bring Argentina back to the racing calendar, Colapinto drove an older Alpine model and also showcased a replica of Juan Manuel Fangio’s iconic Mercedes-Benz W196. However, concerns regarding his long-term position are mounting, especially in light of Alpine's recent readiness to make drastic driver changes, such as releasing Jack Doohan. Former F1 driver Nelson Piquet Jr. expressed that the atmosphere surrounding Alpine advisor Flavio Briatore can be quite harsh. "The biggest mistake for me was having Flavio as both my manager and mentor," the Brazilian shared with Soy Motor. "That was our error, mine and my parents’ - we had no one we could genuinely trust." He went on to explain, "He had six, seven, or eight drivers. I was just another number among them. He did whatever was necessary with the situation to maximize his own benefit." With Briatore being influential at Alpine again and originally a strong supporter of Colapinto, Piquet Jr. cautioned young drivers to be vigilant. "If Franco has the appropriate guidance, they need to safeguard his interests. That is the most crucial thing," he remarked. While Briatore backs Colapinto, he is officially represented by Bullet Sports Management. Piquet advised, "If you're part of a large management firm with many drivers, you aren't the main focus. You need someone who genuinely advocates for you."