After a weekend at the Italian Grand Prix that left mixed feelings, Franco Colapinto is already focused on a completely different challenge. For the first time, Madrid will host the Formula 1 with the Madring circuit, and the Argentine faces the event with the expectation of checking if the progress shown by Alpine in recent races can be sustained on a completely new track.
The update introduced in the A526 allowed for a reduction in the gap with several of its rivals in Zandvoort and, especially, in Monza, and Colapinto highlighted the impact it had on the car's behavior. "This update in Zandvoort was very positive for the car. It made the car enter a much better operating window, and again, we were able to deliver a much better performance in Monza. I think we still have a lot of work to do, but I hope we can carry it over to a good weekend here in Madrid as well and have a good car", explained the Buenos Aires native.
However, the driver of the French team understands that what happened in Italy will not necessarily repeat itself at the Spanish Grand Prix. The characteristics of Monza favored some strong points of the car, while Madring will pose different demands and will be, according to him, "a bit more difficult".
The progress in recent races also allowed Alpine to regain ground against Racing Bulls and Audi, two of the teams it had been battling in the midfield. In that sense, Colapinto considered that the update came at a key moment and stated: "I think the update came at the right time because we were having some difficulties and were lacking pace compared to them and Audi. That put us back, I think, slightly ahead".
Now, the goal will be to see if that improvement can be transferred to Madrid. "Again, we have to try to understand how our pace is here in relation to them, but in Monza we were definitely quite fast. I hope we can stay ahead and keep adding more points", he affirmed.
The recovery from his mistake in Monza
Colapinto's confidence is also based on what happened at the Italian Grand Prix, despite the mistake that completely affected his result. The Argentine had managed to place third during the race, but a track exit dropped him to 16th place before starting a comeback that ultimately took him to ninth place.
With a few days of distance, the 23-year-old driver admitted that the frustration did not disappear immediately. "I was upset for a few days. It doesn't happen very often that you have the opportunity to fight with the top teams and drivers and to be close to McLaren, Ferrari, and Red Bull. It has been nice and it's a good feeling, a different motivation, to quietly fight for the podium at the beginning", he explained.
That experience, beyond the final result, represented an important boost for the Argentine. "It was very good. Of course, it was my first experience doing it, but it was very good and I think a very different feeling from what we seek with the team. So, personally, it was a very good weekend and a very important step forward", he noted.
Colapinto still regrets the opportunity he lost, although he also valued the ability to react he showed after the mistake. "Of course, the mistake ended my chances and opportunities. I was upset and frustrated, of course, but it was a good recovery and a good race. I hope we can do the same soon and be fighting with the top teams", he concluded.
