Franco Colapinto admits five-race Alpine F1 trial is not enough

Franco Colapinto does not believe five rounds in F1 is enough time to "get up to speed and maximise everything" at Alpine.

The Argentine has replaced Jack Doohan just six rounds into the current season, but will need to impress bosses at Team Enstone to land the drive on a full-time basis. The switch caused a stir, with some calling it "harsh" on Doohan.

Giving Colapinto only five grands prix to make his case is also seen as a brutal move.

When asked how he feels about his situation, Colapinto focused on the positives:

"I don’t know," he initially responded to the media present, before adding: "We’ll see once I drive. But I have a great opportunity ahead. I’m happy to be in F1.

"I don’t even think in terms of five races - I’m just in a happy place and I’m dealing with it very well. I think at the moment I just want to get back in the seat and drive."

Despite proving he was quick enough, doubts about his abilities remain from his nine-round cameo last season, where he developed a reputation for being crash happy. His recent shunt during qualifying at Imola will do nothing to alleviate this concern.

It has been a messy start to his first weekend in an Alpine race seat. After appearing to impede rivals during practice, he also earned a one-place grid penalty for leaving his garage before the restart time had been confirmed during qualifying, starting the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in P16.

However, Flavio Briatore has attempted to row back on the specifics of the Argentine's five-round audition, a development that will come as music to Colapinto's ears.

The 21-year-old had expressed his belief that five grands prix is "not enough" for him to prove himself.

"Of course, after you heard Carlos [Sainz] - especially Carlos - saying that he needs like 10 races to get used to a car, I think five is not enough for me. I’ve only driven nine in my life in F1," he said.

"So yeah, it probably takes me a few more races, probably a couple more than five to get up to speed and maximise everything out of the car, but it is what I have and I just want to maximise it, enjoy it and try to do the best for the team."