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FRANCO COLAPINTO REPLACED JACK DOOHAN JUST SIX RACES INTO THE CURRENT SEASON BUT THE ALPINE RACER DIDN'T ENJOY THE BEST OF RETURNS TO THE F1 GRID IN IMOLA AND MONACO 16:50, 30 May 2025
Flavio Briatore has confirmed that Franco Colapinto will be given time to prove himself despite an inauspicious start to his Alpine career. The Italian also used a press conference at the
Spanish Grand Prix to provide an update on the team's search for a new team principal. It has been a season of upheaval so far for Alpine, who sit ninth out of 10 teams in the Formula 1
constructors' championship. Jack Doohan lost his seat six races into the campaign, having failed to score a point, with Colapinto promoted to replace him. And their team principal also
moved on after the Miami Grand Prix when Oliver Oakes announced his resignation. But one constant is Briatore who continues to rule the midfield outfit with an iron fist, as he has since
his return as a 'special adviser' to team owner Renault. Despite being part of Doohan's personal management team, Briatore demoted the Australian back to a reserve role, keen
to give Colapinto the chance to show what he can do. But the Argentine has struggled to make an impression in the two races since. SIGN UP TO OUR FREE WEEKLY F1 NEWSLETTER, PIT LANE
CHRONICLE, BY ENTERING YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS BELOW SO THAT EVERY NEW EDITION LANDS STRAIGHT IN YOUR INBOX! Article continues below Briatore is not renowned for his patience but is showing it to
Colapinto, for now. Asked about the racer's situation, he said: "He's a very young driver. Last year he did very well, two races super with Williams, some other races not so
super. "I believe he's not completely relaxed at this moment – he needs to have more mileage. Franco, he is a good driver, he's very young. Let him have some time and see what
happens. Let's see what happens this weekend. But, at the moment, we've given the chance to him and, for the moment, it is him driving the car." READ MORE: Max Verstappen to
seal F1 future after Spanish GP with key contract developmentREAD MORE: F1 star begs team to sign Indy 500 winner – 'He should be given a chance' Briatore has taken full command of
the team since the announcement of Oakes' departure earlier this month. But as he is not an F1 licence holder, he cannot be named as team principal with racing director Dave Greenwood
the official team representative in the eyes of the FIA. Not that it is affecting Briatore's work in any way. The Italian made as much clear as he shrugged off questions about
Alpine's search for a new team principal, playing down its importance as he said it makes "zero difference" to him what title he has. Sky Sports launches discounted Formula 1
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practice, qualifying and race live with Sky's new Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle in a new deal that saves £192. As well as Sky Sports access, this includes more than 100 TV channels
and free subscriptions to Netflix and Discovery+. He said: "We are looking forward. For the moment nothing has changed. I feel sorry for Oli because I have a very good relationship
with Oli. He was a good team principal. Like everybody knows, for personal reasons he stopped and resigned from Alpine. Article continues below "We are looking. We don't want to
make any mistakes. I prefer to take some time. But in the moment we decide what will be the new team manager. Put it this way and we tell you."