Formula 1 is boiling after the latest statements that have shaken the paddock. Franco Colapinto, the young Argentine Alpine pilot, has starred in a new chapter of tension by expressing his frustration against his teammate, Pierre Gasly, with a phrase that resonated strongly: “I don’t want to run with him.” These words arrive at a critical moment for the French team, which struggles to improve its position in the Builders Championship, where it marches last with just 20 points, all added by Gasly. According to nearby sources, the Frenchman, following in the footsteps of Jack Doohan, would have asked the executive advisor Flavio Briatore to consider replacing Colapinto to boost the performance of the equipment.

The situation is not new in Alpine, where internal tensions have been a constant this season. Colapinto, ascended from Piloto Reserva after Emilia Romagna’s Grand Prix, has shown talent flashes, but has also faced criticism for her inexperience. His best performance, a 11th place in the Netherlands Grand Prix, was marked by a controversy with Gasly, who refused to give him the position in recent laps, costing the Argentine an opportunity to add points. This incident unleashed a wave of criticism on social networks, where fans accused French of lack of teamwork, with comments such as “bad companion” or “if you let it pass, they would have points.”

Briatore, known for his direct style, was not silent at Gasly’s demands. In a blunt response, the Italian would have silenced both pilots and Doohan, reaffirming his authority as Alpine’s de facto leader. Although there were no exact details of its statement, Fuentes indicate that it was brief, about 15 words, and made it clear that the decisions about alignment are taken, prioritizing the interests of the team on personal disputes. This intervention seeks to calm the waters in a team that faces a complicated season, with an A525 car that will not receive significant improvements until 2026.

Colapinto, on the other hand, has demonstrated potential, matching Gasly in a rhythm with a difference of just 0.001 seconds in clean air, according to telemetry data. However, his lack of points and technical problems, such as the transmission failure that left him out in Silverstone, have fed doubts about his continuity. Briatore, who initially praised the Argentine as “one of the best talents”, has also been critical, suggesting that he might need “two more years” to mature in F1.

With the Italy Grand Prix in Monza as a backdrop, where Colapint debuted in 2024 with Williams, the pressure is on the Argentine to demonstrate his worth. Meanwhile, Alpine faces the challenge of unifying its pilots and improving a car that is not up to it. Briatore’s response, although hard, could be the first step to redirect the team towards a more competitive future.