Alpine advisor Flavio Briatore has clarified that there is “no set limit” on the number of Formula 1 races Franco Colapinto will participate in this year.
Colapinto was initially announced as replacing Jack Doohan for a period covering the next five F1 events, beginning with the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix this weekend and concluding with the Austrian Grand Prix.
An Alpine press release quoted Briatore as stating, “the next five races will give us an opportunity to try something different and after this time period we will assess our options”.
However, speaking subsequently to Sky Italy in Imola, Briatore indicated a shift in this perspective.
“It`s not that a driver gets three or five races. I expected more from Jack Doohan – maybe he needs a break,” Briatore commented.
He added, “Franco will race as much as needed. I read somewhere that he`ll have five races, but no, there`s no set limit on his races.”
Briatore outlined his expectations for the young driver: “He needs to be fast, not crash, and score points. I`m only asking him these three things – not 10. If he does them well, he will drive forever.”
Briatore `did not expect` Oakes resignation
Just a day before the driver change involving Doohan and Colapinto was confirmed, Oliver Oakes announced his resignation as team principal, citing “personal reasons”.
Oakes, who was present in Imola, stepped down shortly after his brother, William Oakes, was charged with “transferring criminal property”. William Oakes was reportedly found in “possession of a large amount of cash” when stopped in Silverstone Park on May 1.
William Oakes, a 31-year-old residing in Rugby, Warwickshire, was remanded in custody following his appearance at Northampton Magistrates` Court on May 3.
He serves as a director at Hitech Grand Prix, a British junior racing team established by his brother, Oliver Oakes, in 2015.
Despite Alpine stating that Briatore would be “covering the duties previously performed by Oakes”, the FIA does not formally recognise Briatore as team principal.
Briatore commented on the situation: “Nothing changes – the organisational chart has shifted a bit, but everything else stays the same. When it comes to the team principal role, I need to assess the situation. For now, I`m taking charge, but I`m used to that, it`s not my first day at school.”
Regarding Oakes` departure, Briatore added, “His resignation came after Miami due to a personal issue, and when it happened, I did not expect it either. This is a united team. There were rumours that I had argued with Oliver, but that`s not true – we have a great relationship.”
