Briatore Praises Colapinto's 'Strongest Race' at Zandvoort

Why it matters: Flavio Briatore, a key figure in Formula 1, has lauded Franco Colapinto's performance at the Dutch Grand Prix, calling it "possibly his strongest race this season." This praise comes after Briatore had previously questioned Colapinto's readiness for F1, highlighting a significant shift in his assessment.The big picture: Colapinto, who is yet to score points this season, finished just outside the top ten in Zandvoort. This result provides a crucial confidence boost for the Argentine driver and Alpine, who are currently last in the Constructors' Championship with only 20 points.Flashback: Briatore had initially expressed concerns about Colapinto's ability to cope with F1 cars, suggesting he might need "another year or two" before making the step up.The details: * Colapinto delivered a solid weekend in the Netherlands, despite not scoring points.* Alpine is under pressure to improve, relying on both Colapinto and Pierre Gasly to secure points.* The team remains significantly behind Haas in the Constructors' standings.What's next: The season continues with the Italian Grand Prix, a track where Colapinto made his F1 debut with Williams last season. His performance in upcoming races will be critical for his future with Alpine and the team's championship standing.