Franco Colapinto, an Argentine rookie, made a noteworthy debut for Alpine during the practice sessions at the Imola Grand Prix. Replacing Jack Doohan, Colapinto showcased his potential by finishing 17th fastest in the first practice session and improving to 13th by the end of the afternoon. He made a very wise choice to do less in his performance, and it ended up being incredibly powerful. He deftly avoided disaster all day long.
Colapinto’s ascent into Formula 1 was highly scrutinized as it is within the world’s most competitive racing series. His first appearance came at a notoriously difficult track, where he showed off not just speed, but poise. In a field filled with experienced drivers, Colapinto’s ability to navigate the complexities of the Imola circuit speaks volumes about his capabilities.
In his first practice session, Colapinto languished in 17th — a not-unexpected outcome for a rookie debuting on an untested road course. By the afternoon session, he improved his lap times and moved up to 13th, indicating a promising upward trajectory as he familiarizes himself with the car and the track.
While other drivers faced difficulties, such as Max Verstappen who expressed concerns about his car’s handling, stating, “I can’t rely on the rear. It feels like I’m drifting everywhere,” Colapinto maintained focus and control. Charles Leclerc suffered a similar fate, reporting that his “helmet was lifting”—just one of the many problems competitors had to contend with during practice.
Colapinto’s performance not only impressed fans but showcased Alpine’s trust in a young talent to deliver under pressure. An F1 newcomer needs to hit the ground running to make it. Perhaps even more so to actually keep up competitive lap times to boot.
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