Alpine Executive Advisor Briatore Assesses Team's Progress Ahead of Canadian GP

As Formula 1 heads to Montreal for the Canadian Grand Prix, Alpine's Executive Advisor Flavio Briatore has offered his perspective on the team's current situation, highlighting satisfaction with the drivers' commitment despite persistent frustrations with the car's performance. Speaking ahead of the upcoming race weekend, Briatore underscored his contentment with the efforts of both Alpine drivers, Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto. Gasly recently secured a points finish for the team in Barcelona, crossing the line in eighth place. This result, while valuable, saw Alpine gain points but also lose ground in the competitive championship standings, according to Briatore. Gasly's strategic pit stop under a late safety car allowed him to be on the optimal tyre compound for the final laps in Barcelona, enabling him to score four points. While he faced challenges navigating the closing stages, ultimately finishing eighth, his performance was seen as a demonstration of capitalizing on opportunities. Franco Colapinto, the team's other driver, is acknowledged by Briatore as still being in an adaptation phase. Despite this, Colapinto is also recognized for working diligently with the engineering team to help push the squad forward. Briatore expressed his full support for both drivers, emphasizing that the responsibility lies with the team to provide them with a more competitive car and the necessary tools to challenge rivals. The Executive Advisor noted his frustration stems primarily from the inconsistent performance level of the Alpine car. This variability has made it challenging for the team to build momentum and consistently compete at the front of the midfield or higher. Resolving this inconsistency is a key priority, as highlighted by Briatore. He praised Gasly and Colapinto for their application and hard work in navigating the current difficulties the team faces. Despite the tough circumstances imposed by the car's performance, Briatore is pleased with how both drivers are applying themselves and working together with the team to try and overcome the situation. Looking ahead to the Canadian Grand Prix, the team arrives in Montreal motivated to build upon the points scored in Spain. However, the underlying challenge of the car's fluctuating performance remains a critical area that Alpine must address quickly to prevent further loss of ground in the championship standings and provide their drivers with a more stable and competitive platform. The focus for the upcoming races, particularly in Canada, appears to be on maximizing the potential of the current package while engineers work behind the scenes to tackle the fundamental issues contributing to the car's frustrating inconsistency, aiming to give Gasly and Colapinto a better chance to deliver stronger results.