Franco Colapinto's manager, Jamie Campbell-Walter, warned fans of the Argentine driver that excessive criticism towards Alpine, and particularly towards Australian Jack Doohan, could end up harming Colapinto. Despite this, the team decided to give Doohan the first opportunity, who will compete in the first five races of the 2025 season, after which his performance will be evaluated.
The team's director, Oliver Oakes, also acknowledged Colapinto's talent and the interest he generates. 'Franco did a good job last year, he has a great fan base, obviously many of them are also in the media, it's natural for people to want to talk about that'.
Without a defined date for when he would race with Alpine in Formula 1, Colapinto could have his opportunity starting from the Miami Grand Prix in May, when the team will assess the initial results of the Australian during the season. The highest category of motorsport will return to the tracks on Sunday, March 16 at 1 AM (Argentinian time) at the Australian Grand Prix.
'Insults to the team, to Jack, and sometimes to other Alpine supporters. Franco and all of us who support him are fans of the whole team, Pierre and Jack,' the Brit wrote on the social media platform 'X'.
Campbell-Walter urged supporters to back the Argentine, but through respect. 'Behave with passion but without insults or arrogance. Franco's moment will come, but not this way. You will achieve the opposite.'
The discontent among Colapinto's fans arose after the French team confirmed that reserve drivers Paul Aron and Ryo Hirakawa were chosen to conduct Pirelli tire tests on March 2 and 3 at the Bahrain International Circuit, leaving the 21-year-old driver out. Nevertheless, the Argentine continues his preparations in the team's simulator and weeks ago had his first on-track experience with the Alpine A523 in Barcelona during the Pre-Season Car Tests.
On the other hand, the Pilar native supported his manager's words by reposting his publication on the social media platform 'X', seeking to curb the excessive criticism towards the French team. Since his arrival at Alpine as a reserve driver, Colapinto has become one of the great hopes of Argentine motorsport.
