Franco Colapinto sponsor backtracks on 'Imola debut' claim

A major sponsor of Franco Colapinto has backtracked on claims the Argentine was set to replace Jack Doohan at Alpine from the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

Horacio Marin, president and CEO of YPF, an energy drinks brand was caught on a hot mic on TV news channel A24, and claimed that Colapinto appeared on television news channel A24.

Towards the end of the interview, he was asked when Colapinto would make his official F1 debut for the team, but replied that he did not know.

However, unaware his microphone was still hot, Marin then said that "in Imola", which was then broadcast.

Alpine has been firm that Doohan would receive time in the car following Colapinto's arrival from Williams as a third and reserve driver during the winter. 

Back-tracking on his comments, Marin has now clarified that he has no information about when Colapinto will take part in an official F1 weekend with Alpine, having already carried out some private testing, including at Monza.

"What I'm saying is that I hope he races at Imola and if it happens, he will call me," Marin explained on LN+.

"How can I have the information if I am the president of YPF, not Colapinto's representative? I have an extraordinary relationship with him, but I'm not talking to him all day long.

"When I met Franco, I told him he was going to make his debut two weeks later.

"I told him that the guy who was there (Logan Sargeant) was going to lose his seat and break the car, and Williams was going to call him. 

"He came by and asked me how I knew. I wish I had bought a lottery ticket and won a lot of money. This is the same thing."