The Italian advisor highlighted the Argentine's leap and assured that the engine will show all its potential in the Australian Grand Prix
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In the middle of the final round of preseason tests inBahrain, Flavio Briatore, executive advisor ofAlpine,delivered strong statements about the present of the team and the performance of Franco Colapinto. The team's advisor appeared satisfied with the Argentine's work and projected the French team as the fifth strongest in Formula 1 in 2026.
"I'm pleased with how Colapinto seems to have shifted up a gear this season", Briatore stated in a conversation with Sky Sports Italia, when he analyzed what the driver from Pilar did in the tests. The Argentine shared duties with Pierre Gasly and, in the afternoon session, managed to improve on the Frenchman's times.
Briatore confía en el nuevo motor Mercedes
The Italian executive also referred to the new Mercedes engine that the A526 uses and appeared optimistic looking ahead to the start of the championship:"I'm happy with the engine we have, which will only show its full potential in Melbourne". In that regard, he clarified that for now they are working with certain planned limitations, but he anticipated that in the next Australian Grand Prix they will have "the same power as Mercedes and McLaren".
In any case, Briatore eased off a bit regarding their ambitions:"From what we can see, we should be just behind the top four". In his analysis, he placed Mercedes, McLaren, Ferrari, and Red Bull ahead, and he maintained that Alpine will lead the second group."This year we won't have 20 cars within less than a second; the four best teams will be at the front and we will follow them", he concluded.
Steve Nielsen also appeared satisfied with the tests
Besides Briatore, another Alpine figure who spoke out was the sporting director, Steve Nielsen. In his analysis of the day, the Briton described the start of the second round of tests at the Sakhir circuit as "reasonable" and highlighted the "huge learning process" that the team went through in preseason.
Nielsen también quedó satisfecho con el rendimiento de Alpine
"Our week in Barcelona in January, and our first week here, were very focused on understanding various new systems and getting used to new ways of working", he stressed. However, he clarified that the latest practice sessions focus on other aspects:"This week is focused on taking the car in a set-up direction and giving the drivers more opportunities to have good feelings with the car in various performance conditions before racing".
