COLAPINTO HUMILIATES GASLY AT ZANDVOORT! The TEST That CHANGED EVERYTHING at ALPINE🔥
In a dramatic turn of events that has sent shockwaves through the Alpine Formula 1 team, reserve driver Franco Colapinto reportedly delivered a stunning performance during a recent test at Zandvoort, directly outpacing incumbent race driver Pierre Gasly. Sources within the team suggest Colapinto’s impressive speed and consistency during the test served as the undeniable “new evidence” that ultimately triggered a significant shift in Alpine’s driver lineup plans.
The test at the Dutch circuit, utilizing a 2023-spec Alpine A523, was reportedly designed to evaluate Colapinto’s readiness for a potential race seat. While Gasly also participated, the initial data collected allegedly showed a clear and significant performance advantage for the young Argentine driver. Despite Gasly being the more experienced and current race driver, Colapinto’s lap times and overall pace were reportedly so compelling that they left team management, including advisor Flavio Briatore, with a clear decision.
This “humiliation” of Gasly in a direct on-track comparison is believed to be the catalyst for Alpine’s subsequent announcement that Colapinto would be replacing Jack Doohan alongside Gasly for the next five races, starting with the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. While Doohan had been under pressure due to underwhelming performances, Colapinto’s standout showing at Zandvoort seemingly accelerated the timeline for a driver change and positioned him as the immediate replacement
The implications of this development are significant for Alpine. Colapinto now has a golden opportunity to prove his worth in a Formula 1 race seat, while Gasly faces increased pressure to perform against a rookie who has already demonstrated superior pace in testing. The Zandvoort test, therefore, wasn’t just a routine outing; it was the crucible where Colapinto’s talent shone through, ultimately reshaping Alpine’s driver lineup and putting the entire team dynamic under a new level of scrutiny.
