Franco Colapinto has been handed a stern warning about the "absolutely ruthless" Flavio Briatore ahead of "driving for his future" in this weekend's Canadian Grand Prix.
Since replacing the dropped Jack Doohan at Alpine, Colapinto has severely struggled after being told by Briatore to "not crash, drive fast, score points".
Colapinto, signed by Briatore over the winter on a loan deal from Williams due to the Italian's firm faith in the Argentinian, ignored the first element by crashing in qualifying in his first race for the team in Imola.
After finishing 16th in the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, Colapinto was then slowest in all three practice sessions and qualifying in Monaco en route to finishing 13th. [Note: Lance Stroll was bottom of the timesheet in FP1 but managed just four laps after a crash].
After finishing slowest again in FP1 and FP2 for the Spanish GP, from 19th on the grid, the 22-year-old finished 15th.
Colapinto was again slowest in FP1 at Montreal's Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, and effectively again in FP2 as Ferrari's Charles Leclerc did not take part, and Stroll suffered another early exit after a crash. He was 19th in FP3 but only because of brake issues for Yuki Tsunoda in his Red Bull.
Serving as an analyst for Sky Sports F1, 2016 champion Nico Rosberg made clear that Colapinto is under pressure to retain his seat.
"He is really driving for his future this weekend because he has had many races now, and it's been a bit of a struggle overall," said Rosberg.
"And, you know, Flavio Briatore is absolutely ruthless. He will chop you without even thinking about it.
"Colapinto needs to find his Williams form. Last year he did so well. It's possible. Let's hope he can find it this weekend. We all wish it for him."
Most read
In this article
Join the conversation!