Franco Colapinto Aims for Breakthrough in Canada After Challenging Alpine Start

Argentinian driver Franco Colapinto is seeking a significant upturn in form at this weekend's Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix, admitting his early races with Alpine have not met expectations. Drafted into the team to replace Jack Doohan after just six rounds of the season, Colapinto has faced a difficult integration, describing himself as feeling "out of phase" with the car's setup and tools. Colapinto's challenging start included a qualifying crash at Imola and subsequent struggles for pace at both Monaco and Barcelona. These performances stand in contrast to his successful nine-race cameo with Williams last season, where he quickly adapted and impressed. Colapinto noted the difference in his two F1 experiences, explaining that joining Williams without prior F1 exposure meant no basis for comparison, whereas now, having driven the Williams car, he can feel how distinct the Alpine machine is to drive. The pressure is on for the young driver, as acting team boss Flavio Briatore has indicated he will be evaluating Colapinto's performance race by race as the team considers options for Pierre Gasly's 2026 teammate. While a mid-season transition into a new car and environment is inherently difficult, Colapinto's struggles have raised questions about his immediate future and potential for the vacant seat. Following the Spanish Grand Prix, where he finished 15th after qualifying 19th, Colapinto and the Alpine team have reportedly identified key areas contributing to his difficulties. He spent considerable time at the team's Enstone factory and in the simulator during the break before Canada, working closely with engineers to understand the car's behaviour and refine his approach. Colapinto revealed that some fundamental setup aspects had not been working for him, leading to a feeling of being disconnected from the car. The extensive work over the past week has helped make sense of the issues and allowed him to arrive in Montreal with increased confidence. Both the driver and the team are hopeful that the insights gained and the adjustments made through their factory collaboration will yield the necessary step forward in Canada. Colapinto is focused on translating this understanding into improved performance on track, aiming to demonstrate his capabilities and justify Alpine's decision to bring him into the seat.