(Motorsport-Total.com) – Franco Colapinto remains with Alpine – and Ralf Schumacher considers Flavio Briatore’s decision almost without alternative. From the perspective of the former Formula 1 driver, several factors speak in favor of continuing to rely on the Argentine. Besides his development, Schumacher sees especially his financial support and the already existing experience with the team as decisive points.
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“Well, I see it from Flavio Briatore’s perspective, who is certainly an incredibly experienced manager,” says Schumacher in the Sky Podcast Backstage Boxengasse. At the same time, it must be taken into account that much is still under development at Alpine: “You must not forget, the car is still in development. The team is still in development.”
Alpine is not yet ready for wins
That is exactly why the situation is difficult for Briatore when looking for drivers. “So to compete for wins, that will take time,” explains Schumacher. At the same time, Briatore currently has no interest from top drivers. For Schumacher, the question therefore arises as to what alternative remains for the Alpine official at all.
“He has no interest from top drivers. What could he do? He could look to get a young driver,” says Schumacher. However, it is crucial what this driver brings in addition to sporting potential.
With Pierre Gasly, Alpine already has a driver who offers sporting security for Schumacher. “With Gasly, he has someone who is reliable, who can also get on the podium, who has already won a race.” Colapinto, on the other hand, brings another decisive factor.
Colapinto brings money
“In Colapinto, he has someone who has improved but also brings a lot of money,” says Schumacher. This financial aspect is still important for Alpine. “And money is simply still important for the team. You also want to earn money.”
Schumacher also points to Alpine’s investors: “We remember, American investors, they want to see results.” For Briatore, therefore, not only the pure driving quality must be considered, but the overall package.
From this, Schumacher draws a clear conclusion: “And accordingly, I think this is almost a no-brainer for Flavio.” Signing a big name would not automatically make sense for Alpine under the current conditions.
A big name would not automatically be better
Schumacher gives a specific scenario: “If there was now a big driver, a big name on the market, but he doesn’t bring 15 or 20 million, reportedly, or reportedly what Colapinto brings, but he then costs 10 or 15.”
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For Schumacher, such a change would make no sense under the current conditions. “So that makes no sense for him at all if he is not competing for wins.” But Colapinto’s potential also plays a role.
Schumacher sees progress in Colapinto
Schumacher himself also gives Colapinto a fundamentally positive assessment. “He hasn’t done badly.” However, he bases his assessment on the car.
“So if everything fits, if the car is simply manageable to drive, like now, let’s say, the Racing Bulls, then he delivers,” says Schumacher. In addition, Colapinto has made progress: “He now makes fewer mistakes and so on.”
Schumacher therefore recognizes development in the Argentine: “So you have to let him be. He has made an improvement.” However, he does not necessarily expect a very big career for Colapinto. “That he will ever become world champion, I now dare to doubt.”
Stability as another advantage
Despite all the sporting evaluation, Schumacher emphasizes above all the practical side of the decision at the end. Alpine has a driver with Colapinto who is already part of the team and knows the squad.
“But again, from the purely practical side, I have a driver who is in the team, who knows his way around, I don’t have to train him again,” explains Schumacher. Added to this is the financial component. “There is stability, he brings money.”
It is exactly this combination that makes the extension a comprehensible decision for Schumacher. His final judgment is accordingly clear: “So I believe that was a good decision by Flavio Briatore. A very good one even.”
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