Former F1 driver gives verdict over Colapinto's chances of survival at Alpine

Flavio Briatore, much like Helmut Marko, is certainly not someone known for mincing words — and he rarely hesitates to make tough calls.

Just ask Jack Doohan, who was replaced after only six races following a disappointing start to the season, with little consideration given to the fact that he was a rookie in Formula 1.

The same can be said for a much higher-profile driver like Jos Verstappen who, despite securing two podiums alongside Michael Schumacher in 1994, was replaced for the final two races of the season by the more experienced Johnny Herbert — once again, at the direction of the Italian manager.

Could the same fate now await Franco Colapinto — the very driver who inherited Doohan’s seat starting from the Imola Grand Prix?

According to Riccardo Patrese, the risk is real — and always present when someone like Briatore is involved.

''Anything can happen with Briatore,” the former Williams F1 driver told a betting website when addressing the matter.

At the moment, Colapinto sits at the bottom of the drivers' standings (excluding Doohan), and remains the only driver yet to score a point.

Meanwhile, his teammate Pierre Gasly has collected an impressive 19 points, thanks in part to a strong sixth-place finish at Silverstone.