Franco Colapinto's transformation: the transition from rookie to professional according to Briatore

Franco Colapinto has embarked on a remarkable transformation since his debut in Formula 1. The young Argentinian's evolution from an eager rookie to a calculated professional represents one of the most compelling storylines heading into the 2026 season, as Alpine aims to capitalize on the new regulation era with renewed confidence in its driver pairing.

Colapinto's path to Formula 1 has been unconventional. He made his competitive debut mid-season in 2024 with Williams, replacing Logan Sargeant, and immediately impressed by reaching Q3 and scoring points in just his second race at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. However, the 2025 season proved far more challenging. After joining Alpine as a reserve driver, he was promoted to replace Jack Doohan from the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix onwards—a campaign that ultimately saw him finish without recording a single point.

The maturation process

Despite the difficult 2025 campaign, Alpine's executive advisor Flavio Briatore identified something fundamental shifting within his young driver. "This year, you see Franco's face and he is much more mature," Briatore declared when reflecting on Colapinto's development. "He's no longer like the child we had last year." This assessment wasn't merely nostalgic observation—it represented a stark recognition that Colapinto had begun to grasp the profound mental and emotional demands of elite-level motorsport competition.

The Italian executive acknowledged that Alpine shares responsibility for the challenging season, stating: "Last year was Franco's first year in Formula 1. There were a lot of expectations, this and that. Everything was not managed properly." This candid admission highlighted how environmental factors—including the team's early strategic pivot toward 2026—had compounded the adjustment period for the young driver.

Identifying and addressing weaknesses

While Colapinto demonstrated competitive race pace comparable to his experienced teammate Pierre Gasly throughout 2025, a critical vulnerability emerged in qualifying trim. The Argentinian trailed Gasly 17–5 in their qualifying head-to-head—a significant disparity that represented his primary area requiring refinement.

Briatore attributed this qualifying deficit not to raw speed deficiency but rather to a mental approach that required recalibration. "Franco's main problem was qualifying, because in the race he was quick, like Pierre," Briatore explained. "He just needed to drive the car and qualify using his talent, not drive it emotionally."

Recognizing this opportunity, Alpine invested substantial resources during the winter preparation period. "We spent a lot of time with him this winter," Briatore continued. "We've done everything it's possible to do," with intensive simulator work forming a cornerstone of this development program.

A fresh start for 2026

The 2026 regulation overhaul presents a unique inflection point for Colapinto and Alpine. The team's switch from Renault to Mercedes power units, combined with entirely new technical regulations, creates what Briatore described as "a clean sheet of paper" providing "a great opportunity for us to be more competitive."

Colapinto himself recognized the significance of this moment. "As a team, there are no more excuses," he asserted. "The power unit has changed and the regulations have changed. Now we have to put the work in and deliver performance." This statement demonstrated precisely the maturity Briatore had highlighted—an acknowledgment of collective responsibility and a rejection of external variables as mitigating factors.

With Alpine targeting a return to competitive footing after finishing last in the 2025 constructors' championship, and with Colapinto now contracted through 2026 alongside Pierre Gasly, the Argentinian enters the new season as a markedly different competitor than the wide-eyed rookie who arrived at Williams eighteen months prior. The question now becomes whether his demonstrated maturity will translate into the qualifying consistency required to unlock his undeniable race-day pace.