Franco Colapinto Struggles with Alpine F1 Set-Up, Seeks Breakthrough at Canadian GP

Franco Colapinto, the young Argentine driver for Alpine, admitted to feeling "out of phase" with his F1 car during his initial races with the team. This revelation comes ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix, where he hopes factory work will yield a turning point. As Alpine faces challenges in the 2025 F1 season, Colapinto’s journey reflects the high stakes in motorsports, including MotoGP and WSBK, where adaptability is key.

Colapinto joined Alpine mid-season, replacing Jack Doohan after six races, with his debut marked by high expectations following a promising 2024 stint at Williams. However, his first three races with Alpine Imola, Monaco, and Spain have been disappointing, with finishes of 16th, 13th, and 15th respectively. The team, languishing at the bottom of the Constructors’ Championship with just 10 points from Pierre Gasly, is under pressure, and Colapinto’s struggle to adapt to the A325 has raised concerns.

In a recent interview with Motorsport.com, Colapinto confessed, “I felt very much almost out of phase with everything – with the tools in the car, with the set-up. One thing was fighting the other one.” He highlighted the stark contrast with his Williams experience, noting the Alpine’s unique handling demands. After qualifying 19th and finishing 15th in Spain, he and the team identified issues, fueling optimism for improvement in Canada following intensive work at Enstone.

Colapinto’s average qualifying deficit of 0.392 seconds to Gasly, compared to Doohan’s 0.366 seconds over six races, underscores his struggle. His Imola debut was marred by a Q1 crash and a grid penalty, while Monaco and Spain saw strategic missteps, including a tricky tire choice in Monaco. Alpine advisor Flavio Briatore has set clear expectations speed, no crashes, and points yet Colapinto has yet to deliver, putting his five-race evaluation at risk as the team eyes 2026.

Posts found on X reflect mixed sentiments, with some fans supporting Colapinto’s learning curve, while others question his fit with Alpine. Briatore remains non-committal, stating, “If not, we’ll see. Depends on the performance.” The team’s focus on factory solutions suggests a commitment to Colapinto, but his ability to click with the A325 will determine his future.

As Colapinto arrives in Montreal with renewed confidence, the Canadian Grand Prix could be pivotal. Will he overcome the set-up challenges and secure his spot, or face replacement? Stay tuned to SPORTRIK for the latest F1, MotoGP, and soccer news.