Flavio Briatore Supports Franco Colapinto After His Accident at the Hungarian Grand Prix

Franco Colapinto did not start off on the right foot this weekend at the Hungarian circuit: he did not participate in the first practice and crashed into the tire barrier just half an hour after the second session began. In response, Flavio Briatore, Team Principal of Alpine, came out to defend him against criticism on social media: "We move forward, Franco," he posted on Instagram, along with a video of him speaking with the Argentine after the incident occurred. Additionally, in the official statement from the French team informing that Colapinto had crashed but was in perfect condition, he commented: "Tomorrow is a new day, Franco," since Saturdays are qualifying days in Formula 1 for the Sunday race. The driver from Pilar spun out on his first lap on track to set competitive times, just as he was about to finish the lap in the last corner. The car, like those of the other competitors, was not safe throughout the day due to low temperatures, which caused the tires not to grip perfectly on the circuit. Furthermore, he could not participate in the first free practice because his spot was taken by the Estonian Paul Aron, the reserve driver for the French team. According to the current regulations in the top category of motorsport, each team on the grid is required to provide four practice sessions per season to drivers considered rookies -- two for each main driver -- and this time it was the Argentine's turn. In this last race before the break for the European summer, Colapinto will try to score more points to prove that he deserves a seat for next year, as he still does not have his seat secured for 2027, while his teammate, Pierre Gasly, recently signed until the end of the 2028 season. In a press conference, before the action begins at the Hungaroring, the 23-year-old spoke about this situation: "I am just focused on driving and I am happy this year. I feel like I am doing a good job. I am just focused on these few races and doing my best with the team, trying to improve the car. That is our main focus. I think you definitely know more than we do, with all the rumors (regarding the journalists). I don't even know a quarter of what you know, so you shouldn't ask us," he assured. After missing the first practice and barely running in the second, the Argentine will return to the track this Saturday to determine his place on the starting grid for Sunday, although he must first compete in the third and final practice of the weekend. Action on Saturday will start very early as the third training session will take place at 7:30 AM, where drivers will have their last opportunity to fine-tune their cars ahead of the qualifying, which will be at 11 AM. Finally, the race for the Hungarian Grand Prix is scheduled for Sunday at 10 AM.