Franco Colapinto rumours emerge over British GP exit

Franco Colapinto endured a difficult weekend at the British Grand Prix, which was his sixth race weekend behind the wheel of Alpine's car.

The Argentine suffered a spin into the barrier during Q1 on Saturday which forced him to settle for a position at the back of the field for the race.

Changes to his car after qualifying further demoted him to the pit lane; however, he had a fresh power unit in his car to offer a boost during the grand prix.

But before Colapinto could even take the start, he was out of the race. 

Alpine did not immediately declare the reason for Colapinto's non-start, with an explanation arriving over 90 minutes after the end of the grand prix.

The Enstone-based squad declared that a “driveline issue" prevented Colaptino from participating in the race.

Talk in the paddock post-race suggested it was a mistake from the 22-year-old himself that resulted in his early exit.

The setback occurred at a time when Colapinto's future is far from secure at Alpine amid a challenging stint with the squad.

“Alpine turned around and said that there was a driveline issue that led to Franco’s very early retirement,” said RacingNews365 editor Ian Parkes on the latest episode of this publication's podcast.

“I’ve heard rumours in the paddock that actually he burned the clutch, and he did so for the second time this season.

“And if that’s the case, if that is to be believed, then that is a huge fundamental error for any driver to make. To do it once...but to do it twice, I think we are most definitely going to see a different driver in that car.

“I’d be amazed if Franco Colapinto was in that car in Belgium, I really would.”

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