Franco Colapinto Alpine misery continues after causing Silverstone red flag

Franco Colapinto triggered a red flag during qualifying for the British Grand Prix, despite miraculously keeping his Alpine out of the wall at the final corner of the Silverstone Circuit.

He had got going again, but with a whole lap to complete before reaching the pits, he pulled over to one side at the pit exit.

Obligated to stop if unable to return the car in a safe condition, it nonetheless triggered the red flag, with the timing board stopped with 6:49 to go in Q1.

"I lost the rears", the Argentine told Alpine over team radio whilst apologising for the incident. Flavio Briatore was seen with his head in his hands.

The 22-year-old is under considerable pressure to perform at Team Enstone, and now past his initial five-round slate in place of Jack Doohan, it is believed he is essentially running on a race-by-race basis.

Since taking over from the Australian, he has struggled to impress in the same way he did for Williams last year. He has yet to score a point this term, one of the requirements drawn up by Briatore, who also asked him to "be fast" and "not crash".

This latest error is his second qualifying crash in six rounds, the first mistake coming on his first weekend back, at Imola.

It is also the third Q1 exit for him - the same number Doohan suffered in an equal span of rounds.

It is believed that Valtteri Bottas could be parachuted into the seat alongside Pierre Gasly unless Colapinto can turn his form around.