The confirmation of Franco Colapinto to continue with Alpine during the next season not only generated reactions from fans but also within the team. Ahead of the Italian Grand Prix, Pierre Gasly supported the permanence of his teammate and highlighted the relationship they have built since the Argentine joined the team.
"I’m happy for Franco. I think we are working well together with the team, in the way we are moving the team forward and in the dynamic we have", expressed Gasly, who will share the garage again with the driver from Pilar.
The Frenchman also valued the learning accumulated by Colapinto since his arrival in the top category and noted: "I think he has learned a lot over the last two years in Formula 1 and yes, I’m happy for him. I hope we can continue contributing points to the team and delivering the best performance".
His view on the improvements of the A526
In parallel to Colapinto's renewal, the French driver also highlighted the updates his car received at the Dutch Grand Prix, where he finished 8th in the Sprint and 10th in the main race. "It was a good step forward in Zandvoort. We finished eighth in the sprint and tenth on Sunday. I think it was really complicated to get the most out of it, being a weekend with a sprint format. But I think we learned a lot and I feel more comfortable in the car, with more potential", he explained.
The French driver also emphasized the change in the landscape that Alpine went through during the championship. "I feel that before the summer we were behind the top 10 and we didn’t have all the potential to fight for points. And now we are back up there. So yes, I’m excited and looking forward to this weekend", he stated.
It is worth noting that in Zandvoort, Colapinto did not have these updates that the French driver received due to the team's decision because of a lack of parts. With that problem resolved, the Argentine will debut the improvements of his car in Monza.
When Colapinto returns to race
After his challenging participation in Zandvoort, the Argentine, who will now have the improvements in his A526 that Alpine developed during the summer break, will seek to recover at the Italian Grand Prix. Activities at the iconic Italian circuit will start on Friday, September 4 with his first free practices and will conclude on Sunday, the 6th with the main race.
Previously, the native of Pilar had two races at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza. The first was in 2024, in his debut as a full-time driver for Williams, where he finished 12th, while the second was last year, already with Alpine, where he crossed the finish line in 17th position.
