Colapinto 'Proud' After Best Weekend at Miami GP with Upgraded Alpine

Franco Colapinto described the Miami Grand Prix as his "most perfect weekend" in Formula 1, after a major Alpine upgrade package transformed the A526 and propelled him to seventh place — his best result since 2024's Azerbaijan GP. The Argentine rookie outqualified teammate Pierre Gasly in both the sprint and main race, demonstrating a significant step in one-lap pace.

Why it matters:

After a rough first full season marred by inconsistency and crashes, Colapinto is finally unlocking the potential that made Alpine sign him. This performance validates the team's heavy investment in upgrades and gives them a solid second driver to support Pierre Gasly in the constructors' fight.

The details:

• Alpine introduced a lighter monocoque, revised front/rear brake hardware and suspension wishbones, new floor edges, a Ferrari-style exhaust winglet, and a new rear wing.
• Colapinto qualified eighth and finished 10th in Saturday's sprint, then started eighth and finished seventh in the grand prix after Charles Leclerc's penalty.
• He outqualified Gasly in both sessions despite not having the new rear wing on his car.
• On the first lap of the GP, Colapinto collided with Lewis Hamilton at Turn 11. Stewards ruled no further action — TV replays showed Colapinto's rear stepping out, and Hamilton wasn't far enough alongside for racing room.
• Both cars sustained damage, but Colapinto still held eighth on the road before gaining a spot.

What's next:

• Colapinto aims to build on this momentum in Canada, where upgrades from this weekend will be evaluated.
• Team boss Flavio Briatore expects this level of performance "week in, week out," putting pressure on the Argentine to replicate his Miami form consistently.
• With Alpine now showing real pace, the midfield battle could get tighter as the season progresses.