Alpine driver downplays episode and states that executive has been important in his evolution
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Franco Colapinto commented on the scene shown in the new season of the series Drive to Survive that shows a tense conversation between him and Flavio Briatore inside the Alpine F1 Team. Despite the harsh tone of the meeting portrayed in the Netflix production, the Argentine sought to downplay the situation and stated that the executive has been an important figure in his recent trajectory in Formula 1.
Colapinto took over the Alpine cockpit halfway through the 2025 season, replacing Australian Jack Doohan and sharing the team with the experienced Pierre Gasly. The change increased the pressure on the young driver, who needed to show performance quickly to ensure his continuity in the project.
The second episode of the eighth season of the series follows exactly Alpine’s difficulties in defining its second driver and shows a moment of tension in an internal team meeting. In the conversation shown, Briatore states that Gasly had been showing superior performance and demands an immediate reaction from Colapinto.
“I’ll summarize the situation. We need to understand that we haven’t been that good so far. Let’s say that, between the two of you, Pierre was better. Now we need to score some points,” says Briatore in the scene.
When Colapinto tries to suggest changes to his car, the executive interrupts directly, stating that he needs to improve his performance.
Questioned about the episode before the Australian Grand Prix, the Argentine driver said he hasn’t even watched the season of the series.
“To be honest, I didn’t watch it. When you’re inside the paddock, living all that, you already know exactly what happens,” he stated. “It’s a great show and it brought many new fans to the sport, and we are all grateful for that.”
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Colapinto also reinforced that, despite the harshness shown in the images, his relationship with Briatore is positive.
“Flavio has been very helpful to me in every way. He gave me a great opportunity and I try to make the most of it,” he explained. “I don’t even know exactly when that was filmed, but he was probably right at that moment.”
The Argentine also highlighted that the executive’s direct style is part of his form of leadership.
“When he shouts at me, there is usually a reason. He is a great leader, a great businessman and has had a lot of success in everything he has done,” he said. “He knows how to make people perform. Sometimes in a different way than others would, but it’s a great learning experience.”
Colapinto also emphasized that the environment of a Formula 1 team involves enormous pressure, especially during a race weekend.
“It’s very difficult for those on the outside to understand the amount of pressure that exists in a racing team,” he stated. “It’s not just the drivers who experience this. Everyone is under pressure, and that’s part of the sport.”
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