Alpine advisor Flavio Briatore has stated there is “no set limit” on the number of races Franco Colapinto will compete in this year, clarifying the earlier announcement of a specific five-race plan for the Argentine driver.
Initially, Colapinto was confirmed to replace Jack Doohan for five Formula 1 races, starting from the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix weekend and running up to and including the Austrian Grand Prix. Alpine`s official press release had quoted Briatore saying this period would offer an opportunity to “try something different” before evaluating future options.
However, during an interview with Sky Italy at Imola, Briatore appeared to soften this stance. “It`s not that a driver gets three or five races. I expected more from Jack Doohan – maybe he needs a break,” he commented.
Regarding Colapinto, Briatore elaborated: “Franco will race as much as needed. I read somewhere that he`ll have five races, but no, there`s no set limit on his races.” He outlined simple, direct expectations for the young driver: “He needs to be fast, not crash, and score points. I`m only asking him these three things – not 10. If he does them well, he will drive forever.”
Briatore Addresses Oliver Oakes` Resignation
The article also touched on the recent resignation of Alpine`s team principal, Oliver Oakes, which occurred shortly before the confirmation of Colapinto`s extended run. Briatore stated he “did not expect” Oakes` departure, citing “personal reasons” for the move.
Context provided in the report noted that days before his resignation, Oliver Oakes` brother, William Oakes (a director at Hitech Grand Prix, the junior team founded by Oliver), was charged with `transferring criminal property` after being found with a significant sum of cash. William Oakes has since been remanded in custody.
While Alpine indicated Briatore is “covering the duties previously performed by Oakes”, he is not officially recognized as the team principal by the FIA. Briatore commented: “Nothing changes – the organisational chart has shifted a bit, but everything else stays the same.” He added, “When it comes to the team principal role, I need to assess the situation. For now, I`m taking charge, but I`m used to that, it`s not my first day at school.”
Briatore emphasized the team`s cohesion and dismissed suggestions of conflict with Oliver Oakes, stating, “This is a united team. There were rumours that I had argued with Oliver, but that`s not true – we have a great relationship.”
Gilbert Pendleton