Colapinto Admits Alpine's Performance Is 'Punishing' Amid Struggles

Franco Colapinto has candidly admitted that Alpine's current competitive standing is "punishing" for the team and both himself and teammate Pierre Gasly. The French outfit remains at the bottom of the constructors' championship, with a mere 20 points, having effectively shifted its focus towards the 2026 regulations when it will transition to a Mercedes customer engine.Colapinto, who replaced Jack Doohan at Imola, is yet to score a point this season and was recently embroiled in a team orders controversy with Gasly in the United States. Despite these challenges, RacingNews365 recently reported that the Argentine is set to retain his seat for 2026, fending off Paul Aron for the second spot alongside Gasly.

Why it matters:

Alpine's dismal performance underscores a critical period for the team as it navigates a transitional phase. For drivers like Colapinto and Gasly, a non-competitive car not only hinders their ability to showcase their full potential but also creates a challenging environment for personal and team development. The admission highlights the intense pressure and frustration within a team struggling at the back of the grid.

The Details:

• Competitive Woes: Alpine is currently at the very bottom of the constructors' championship standings, having accumulated just 20 points thus far.
• Focus on 2026: The team has largely pivoted its resources and attention towards the 2026 season, when they will become a customer team for Mercedes' power units.
• Colapinto's Debut: Franco Colapinto, who took over from Jack Doohan at Imola, has not yet managed to score any championship points.
• Driver Frustration: Speaking ahead of the Mexico City Grand Prix, Colapinto articulated the difficulties he and Gasly face in demonstrating their true capabilities due to the car's inherent limitations.
  • "I think it is tricky the situation that the team is in," Colapinto told media, including RacingNews365.
  • "We of course knew that 2025 was going to be a transition year, but it has been more tricky than we were expecting, and the reality is that we have been very close to each other in these last six races."
• Pace Deficit: Colapinto estimates that the car is two to three-tenths of a second off the pace required to genuinely compete with rivals, a deficit he describes as "punishing" for the drivers.

Between the lines:

Colapinto's remarks offer a rare, direct insight into the morale and operational realities within a struggling Formula 1 team. While Alpine's management has publicly acknowledged the difficulties and the strategic shift towards 2026, the drivers' perspective underscores the immediate impact on their careers and mental fortitude. The 'punishing' nature of the situation reflects not just the lack of points, but also the inability to perform at the peak of their abilities, which is a core drive for any F1 driver. It also suggests a significant gap in performance even within the midfield, making any potential gains feel monumental.

What's next:

With the team's primary focus now firmly on the 2026 regulations and the transition to Mercedes power, the remainder of the current season and 2025 will likely continue to be challenging. Colapinto's confirmed seat for 2026 indicates Alpine's long-term vision with him, but the immediate future demands resilience and a collective effort to extract any remaining performance from the current package, however 'punishing' it may be. The team will be hoping that the new regulations and engine partnership will provide a much-needed reset and a path back to competitiveness.