Franco Colapinto sends one-word message to Flavio Briatore after earning Alpine F1 promotion

There are 19 drivers on the Formula 1 grid who will be welcoming the upcoming weekend away from racing after a hectic start to the 2025 season.

However, Franco Colapinto will be itching to get started once again after watching from the sidelines at Alpine for the first six races of the 2025 F1 calendar.

He travelled to several events as Alpine’s reserve driver, sharing that duty with Paul Aron and Ryo Hirakawa who has since left to join Alpine.

Jack Doohan was despondent in the paddock at the Miami Grand Prix, as it’s believed he was informed after the race that he would be sitting out in place of Colapinto.

It’s not been an easy start to life in Formula 1 for the Australian, with new team principal Flavio Briatore keen to put pressure on Doohan on his F1 debut in Abu Dhabi last year to see how he fared.

He then brought in a host of reserve drivers over the winter including Colapinto and after Oliver Oakes resigned from his role as team principal, he’s now immediately acted to bring in his preferred driver.

READ MORE: Who is Alpine 2025 F1 driver Franco Colapinto? Everything you need to know

Franco Colapinto sends message to Flavio Briatore after Alpine F1 promotion

Briatore posted on Instagram on Wednesday evening to celebrate Colapinto’s new role and said, “We have come to the decision to put Franco in the car alongside Pierre for the next five races.

“Franco is an exciting talent, a driver who was sought after by many teams up and down the grid.

“I am excited to see how he grows and develops around the team. It’s his chance now to show us what he is capable of doing as an official driver, alongside Pierre, starting in Imola.

“We will continue to support Jack at the team, he has acted in a very professional manner in his role as a race driver so far and look forward to this continuing.”

Colapinto replied to Briatore’s post on Instagram and simply replied, “Vamos!” meaning ‘Let’s go!’

He also had an interaction with Renault chief Luca de Meo, who on a post that Colapinto put on Instagram, replied with two strong-arm emojis.

Luca de Meo is said to be a big fan of Colapinto’s, and in reply, the 21-year-old said, ‘Let’s go, Luca! We left the padel match for later I think,’ highlighting their strong relationship.

There was also a response from Briatore’s son Falcon Nathan, who said, ‘Let’s go, brother!’ and Colapinto replied, ‘A barbecue?’ highlighting how strong the relationship is between the Argentine and his new team principal’s family.

READ MORE: Who is Alpine’s F1 executive adviser Flavio Briatore? Everything to know

Franco Colapinto’s special relationship with Flavio Briatore among Alpine’s drivers

It’s been clear for some time that Doohan was never Briatore’s first choice to race for Alpine this season.

Briatore ignored several opportunities to back Doohan when questions were being asked about his future, simply stating that he needed to perform to guarantee his place on the grid.

It will be interesting to see if Colapinto gets the same treatment from the veteran Italian.

A report from the Argentine source Infobae suggests that Colapinto is the only driver within the Alpine group who has been invited to Briatore’s personal barbecues.

It may seem like a small detail, but it shows that the pair are much closer than any of his other drivers.

Michael Schumacher has previously warned drivers about Briatore and what he can do once he’s in charge of a team.

Colapinto now has to make sure he stays on the right side of his new boss.