Jack Doohan would not get a point out as Flavio Briatore reveals that Alpine’s second driver in 2026 will both be Franco Colapinto or Paul Aron.
Since changing Doohan, who was dropped after 6 races – 4 greater than Liam Lawson was given at Purple Bull – Colapinto has proved to be a little bit of a humid squib.
Granted, the Alpine is the worst automotive on the grid by far, however nonetheless the Colapinto we now have witnessed to date just isn’t the identical man that took the paddock by storm with Williams final yr when he changed Logan Sargeant, however moderately the considerably hapless model concerned in quite a few incidents later within the season.
Aron, a former member of the Mercedes Junior Group and third within the 2024 F2 championship, signed as reserve driver for Alpine in November final yr and has taken half in two FP1 classes, one with the French group the opposite with Sauber (Hungary).
Talking to The Race, Briatore stated the selection is between these two drivers.
“It is between Franco and Paul,” he stated. “Paul is a really good man, a really fast driver as nicely. And I want to know what’s the finest for the group, ?”
The Italian is adamant that the selection shall be based mostly purely on efficiency.
“I imply, I haven’t got any curiosity with anyone,” he stated. “Earlier than the individuals had been driving me mad, complaining as a result of I used to be managing 50% of the drivers. Now, I do not handle anyone.
“I do not care,” he insisted. “I haven’t got any curiosity. My solely curiosity is to attempt to soak up the group the perfect driver accessible and do the perfect job with us. It is so simple as that.
“I want one other one or two races to see, however actually at the moment I do not know which one.”
Apart from slamming the door on Doohan, Briatore’s feedback seem to rule out the concept of wanting elsewhere alongside the pitlane, say at Yuki Tsunoda or Liam Lawson.
“I do not see every other chance,” stated Briatore. “We see different ones, however we do not really feel something… the great guys go ‘growth’. I bear in mind when Schumi was in Group C with Sauber, he received each race…
“GP2 was the identical,” he continued. “Hamilton was bam, bam, bam… Fernando was driving Formulation 3000 or no matter and he was successful each race.
“I bear in mind testing Fernando. I put Fernando in Minardi and Giancarlo known as me and stated: ‘I’ve by no means seen stuff like that’. Now, take away Max. The remainder?”
