Alpine driver Franco Colapinto continued to struggle with his Alpine’s “lack of pace” during the F1 Abu Dhabi GP. The Argentine driver finished P20 in Abu Dhabi, with his teammate, Pierre Gasly, finishing in P19. Additionally, the Enstone-based team finished last in the Constructors’ Championship.
Not going anywhere
Franco Colapinto did not hide his frustration in the print media pen after the F1 Abu Dhabi GP. With the slow pace of his car and the failed execution of a two-stop strategy, the Argentine driver “didn’t really go anywhere” finishing where he started the race in P20.
Colapinto said: “Well, it was tough. It was a long race. We didn’t really have the pace. We struggled with two stops. It was a very linear race. We just didn’t really go anywhere.”
The 22-year-old was could not overcome his Alpine A525’s slow pace, making it “it was tricky to do anything.” With Colapinto not able to earn any points since replacing Jack Doohan, the Argentine driver was “happy to now be done” with the season.
“I think there were some opportunities at the start, but then it was a very flat race. And with the lack of pace, it was tricky to do anything. So, yeah, happy to now be done.“
Leaving 2025 where it is
With both Alpine drivers finishing in the last two places, Colapinto felt the long drag of the last races in 2025. Alpine’s overall performance this season culminated with worse performance for the F1 Abu Dhabi GP.
Colapinto noted, “I don’t know. I think it was just a long race and a long afternoon for me and Pierre. We didn’t really have the pace. When you don’t have the pace, you don’t go anywhere. And it was like this a few races, yes. I think at the end it was especially worse. We struggled more.”
Colapionto hoped to get a good result for Renault in their last race as an engine supplier. However, the 22-year-old could not overcome his car’s shortfalls. Even with attempted upgrades to the Alpine A525, the pace did not seem to follow through.
“At the end, everyone kept bringing some upgrades and we couldn’t really hold the car anymore. It was a difficult day. Just sad that we couldn’t give Viry a better result today. But it’s part of F1 and we’ll come back soon.“
With Colapinto racing for Alpine in 2026, a new Mercedes engine, and new regulations, hoped to leave 2025 where it is and to come back to F1 better.
