Franco Colapinto is relatively pleased with his performance as an Alpine driver ahead of the 2025 F1 Azerbaijan GP.
A better feeling
In spite of not being able to score a single point so far with the Enstone-based squad, Colapinto explained in his print media session that he has a much better feeling with his challenger compared to his first outing in Imola and the rounds that followed.
“I think personally I’m in a much happier place with my personal performance. I’m feeling more comfortable in the car, more consistent.”
Colapino admits the lack of performance of the A525 is a tough pill to swallow, especially ahead of the F1 Azerbaijan GP. He was an outstanding P8 for Williams at this venue last year on just his second appearance in the sport.
“It still is quite an unpredictable car at times, which is not great for the confidence. On this track you need a lot of confidence when you are so close to the wall. It’s something that we need to try and find out quite early on.”
On the right path
However, the Argentinian is also able to appreciate the path him and his team have been on in order to achieve better results.
Since Hungary, he has felt more comfortable in the car. The better qualifying results against teammate Pierre Gasly prove it. He beat the Frenchman fair and square on a Saturday in Budapest and Monza.
“Of course, there has been a lot of improvement going on over the last few weekends. Even though the result doesn’t look very good or promising, there are improvements.
“When the car comes, when we are competitive, I’m sure that this is really going to help. It’s going to make us stronger. It is good that we are becoming stronger now in the tough moments and in the tough races.”
Alpine efforts towards making the better car had paid off in July, when teammate Pierre Gasly had been able to score twice in a row. Colapinto is optimistic that his time will come too.
“I’m sure that when we get the opportunity, we are going to maximise it. It’s been better since then.”
What next?
Colapinto was also asked about his future with Alpine ahead of the F1 Azerbaijan GP. In fact, the former Williams driver, who had replaced Jack Doohan after six rounds is unsure whether he will still be a full time driver for 2026 or return to his previous reserve driver role.
“Yeah, I mean, honestly, I don’t really know. It’s not my thing to decide. I’m just happy at where I am now, happier than before, of course, and working well with the team, that is what I wanted.”
The young talent feels positive about his own 2025 season so far, in spite of still not being able to score in underperforming machinery.
“I’m kind of achieving all the personal aspects or goals that I had since the start and now I am getting closer to that and achieving it. Of course, we know that the performance is tricky.”
Overall, 2025 has been a positive year so far for Colapinto
The Argentinian youngster rounded off with praise for his team and hard work with the engineers, while also reckoning that it’s tough to extract the most out of it.
“We are not having a very consistent car. Some tracks are quite competitive, some other tracks we are lacking quite a lot of pace, hat’s of course going to affect the result. But generally I’m happy with the improvement I made with my engineers and the guys.”
