Alpine chief Briatore jumps to defend Colapinto and blasts social media 'idiots'
Flavio Briatore
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I am a passionate and knowledgeable Formula 1 fan who has watched the sport since age five, watching every single race. Having karted competitively throughout my teens, I understand what it takes to be a racing driver, and every aspect of motorsports fascinates me. I am now studying sports journalism at the University of Gloucestershire with the hopes of one day landing a dream role in motorsport. As well as English, I speak Spanish fluently after living there for some time when I was younger.
Flavio Briatore has slammed social media 'idiots' in defence of Alpine driver Franco Colapinto. The Italian team principal believes that the media must support the Argentinian instead of releasing 'nonsense' about his future.
The upcoming Austrian Grand Prix will mark Franco Colapinto’s fifth race with Alpine. It was originally expected to be the point where the French team would decide whether or not the Argentine driver would continue with them. This intention was outlined in a press release issued by Alpine following his signing.
However, Flavio Briatore, now acting as team principal after Oliver Oakes' resignation, has been firmly denying for weeks that any evaluation point exists. In an interview with the Argentine newspaper La Voz, he even responded with clear irritation when asked about Colapinto’s future.
Briatore kills any Colapinto removal rumours
“I don't think there are rumours. The team is satisfied with Franco, period. Franco is part of the team; I don't know what the rumours are about,” Briatore stated strongly.
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When it's suggested that some media outlets see Estonian Paul Aron as a potential replacement for Colapinto, the Italian responded sharply: “The problem is that the press publishes so much nonsense. It's your fault, not ours. All this nonsense comes from Argentina and the people there. You should blame yourselves.”
Franco Colapinto replaced Jack Doohan at Alpine after the Miami GP
'Social Media Is Full of Idiots'
The team leader was not impressed with the journalist, stating that those in the media have a key role in supporting the Argentinian driver.
“You don't need to ask me why you all spread so much nonsense about Franco this and that; it's on you. Moreover, if you keep this up, it's also not good for Franco. You need to support Franco, not pressure him, if you are professionals and care for him.”
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Not only in the media are questions being asked about Colapinto staying, but it’s also a topic of conversation on social media. “Social media is full of idiots. But you, if you have a Formula 1 driver [in your country], you must protect your driver because he is a young guy, he's in a team.
“It’s not easy at the beginning, it’s not easy for anyone, and bit by bit he starts to believe in the car, gets more confidence in it.”
This article was written in collaboration with Ludo van Denderen
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