Colapinto reveals all: Verstappen’s surprise and a tough year at Alpine | OneFootball

A few weeks before the start of the preseason in Barcelona, Franco Colapinto is enjoying his last days of rest before returning to activity on January 26. The Argentine driver took advantage of the break to return to the country, reunite with his people, and reflect on a 2025 season full of learning and mixed feelings. In a conversation with Rolling Stone magazine, the Buenos Aires native analyzed his year with Alpine and shared several reflections on his present in Formula 1.

One of the situations that marked him the most was the reaction of other drivers to the Argentine fan base that accompanies him at every circuit. “They recognize us instantly. The European drivers can't believe the level of support I have,” he said. Even Max Verstappen expressed it to him in person: “It's incredible, they're at every circuit, everywhere.” From Bahrain to Singapore, Argentine flags were a constant presence every race weekend.

This support contrasted with the performance of the Alpine A525, a car that did not meet expectations. Colapinto failed to score points during the season and acknowledged how difficult it was to go through that process. “This year was very long. I learned a lot, but I had never felt incapable of going fast,” he admitted. With no real chances for podiums or poles, the goal was limited to trying to salvage some points.

The lack of results affected his mood and tested his mental strength. “When you see that the result doesn't come, it's very difficult to handle. I had never experienced anything like this,” he confessed. He even acknowledged that the frustration often outweighed the enjoyment of having reached the top category. “The level of frustration, of feeling a bit inferior to others, is much greater than the enjoyment,” he assured.

He also emphasized the weight of external expectations. “You have all the expectations of the people around you, of a country that expects you to win. There are many factors to control and manage,” he explained, alluding to the pressure of representing a nation so passionate about motorsport.

With 2026 on the horizon, Colapinto aims to make a quality leap. After partial experiences as a replacement in Williams and Alpine, the goal is to complete his first full season in Formula 1 from the start, with the hope of having a more competitive car that allows him to fight higher up.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.