Franco Colapinto, Alpine's Argentine driver, finished the first day of Formula 1 preseason testing in Barcelona with a minor incident but expressed optimism about the new car. Team principal Steve Nielsen clarified the situation that alerted the team. The French team posted an analysis of his initial results.
The 2026 Formula 1 preseason began at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, where Franco Colapinto made his debut with Alpine on the first testing day. The Argentine driver encountered a minor incident that alerted the team, as detailed by Steve Nielsen, the team's operations director. "Steve Nielsen came out to clarify the situation that put the entire team and the Argentine driver on alert during the tests," TN reported.
Despite the mishap, Colapinto remained optimistic. In his post-session analysis, the Argentine highlighted the potential of Alpine's new car: "The Argentine driver had a small incident on the first day, but he showed optimism about the results the team's new car can deliver." This positive outlook contrasts with the initial tension from the incident, which did not prevent the team from evaluating his performance favorably.
Alpine, in turn, shared a dedicated post about Colapinto, analyzing his results after the tests' start in Barcelona. "The French team analyzed the Argentine's results after the start of the tests in Barcelona," the publication stated. These sessions are crucial for gearing up for the season, and Colapinto's debut raises expectations in Argentina and the motorsport world.
The incident, though minor, underscores the challenges of adapting to the single-seater in real track conditions. Nielsen stressed the importance of these tests to fine-tune the car's setup, ensuring the team focuses on maximizing Colapinto's performance for upcoming races.
