How Alpine maintains internal unrest after Colapinto's promotion

Although Franco Colapinto's test in Zandvoort on Wednesday was officially kept secret and closed to the public, some people still managed to attend Alpine's session. Fans positioned in the infield of the famous Dutch dunes were able to spot a smiling Colapinto after he had completed several laps in an older F1 car.

This wasn't too surprising, as just a few days earlier, the Argentine driver had been informed that he would replace Jack Doohan as the French team's 'regular' driver.

This put an end to months of speculation, as media discussions with Doohan and Alpine's management had been focused on one question: Would the Australian remain with the team? It had been widely understood that Doohan wouldn’t retain his seat for the entire season, especially with Colapinto—who had been signed for a significant amount of money—waiting in the wings.

With the Argentine now officially named as Pierre Gasly's teammate, it was hoped that the unrest at the driver level within Alpine might settle. However, that might not come to fruition. Alpine also announced that Colapinto will initially be given the opportunity to prove himself throughout five upcoming Grand Prix weekends.

It’s not surprising that Alpine hasn't immediately confirmed Colapinto’s seat for the entire season. What’s more puzzling, however, is that the French team has made it clear to the public that the Argentine is still in a trial period.

Had Alpine not announced Colapinto's trial period, there likely wouldn't have been any major scrutiny if he had a rough race or made a mistake in places like Barcelona or Imola. However, with his future still uncertain, every misstep is bound to raise new questions about whether Colapinto is concerned about his seat.

Alpine has unintentionally prolonged internal unrest by keeping Colapinto's future uncertain. The team will undoubtedly face increased scrutiny in the coming weeks, especially after the sudden departure of Oliver Oakes as team boss. With Flavio Briatore now temporarily stepping in, there's a lot of uncertainty surrounding Alpine's leadership. The question of what will happen next is hanging in the air, as fans and insiders alike wonder how this shake-up will impact the team's performance and stability moving forward.

If there's one thing clear in sports, it's that turmoil in the background affects sporting performance. That's exactly what Alpine can do without.