Jun.26 (GMM) Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto appear increasingly likely to remain Alpine’s race drivers in 2027.
Amid speculation linking Fernando Alonso with a sensational return to the Enstone-based team, executive adviser Flavio Briatore indicated ahead of the Austrian GP that he is planning to stick with his current lineup.
Briatore described Gasly as one of the six best drivers on the Formula 1 grid and suggesting a final decision will be made around the summer break.
Gasly, who this week finally received the Monaco GP third-place trophy from Isack Hadjar after his successful appeal over the pitlane speeding controversy, welcomed Briatore’s backing.
“I think I am,” Gasly smiled when asked about Briatore’s assessment.
“It’s nice to hear it from Flavio, but I’ve been here long enough to know that I’ve got to focus on my own business.
“I try to be the best I can every single time I’m in the car and sometimes the best I can do is a 15th place last year. It doesn’t mean that I’m a bad driver.
“Yeah, it’s nice from Flavio and we’re working very well together, so I’m happy with the dynamic we have as a team and just want us to be able to perform even better than we’re doing.”
Colapinto, whose time at Alpine has featured both support and criticism from Briatore, also suggested the relationship between the pair remains strong.
“I heard a little of what he said,” the Argentine driver said at the Red Bull Ring. “They were very good comments and it was a very fun interview.
“Flavio is very supportive and has been very tough on me at times, but he needed to be tough.
“It also depends on how I handle those moments, and luckily, I handled them very well, improved, and learned from them. They were a great help.”
He added: “We all know that Flavio has been in this sport for many years and has been so successful that, when you take advantage of all his experience and feedback to improve, understand where you should focus and become mentally stronger, it ends up being very useful.
“Over time it becomes a strength.”
As for when he will know for sure about 2027, Colapinto responded: “We haven’t discussed the 2027 outlook yet, as we’re focusing entirely on each race individually.”