Franco Colapinto reflected on his weekend during the Monaco Grand Prix, describing it as a generally positive experience despite encountering some challenges. One of the key hurdles he faced was the early retirement of his teammate, Pierre Gasly, which put additional pressure on him and his team, especially when it came to adapting to the Alpine car. Colapinto emphasized that gaining trust in the vehicle on the narrow streets of the principality took time and effort.
“Starting from 20th place and finishing in 13th is quite an achievement,” he shared with reporters. “We did our best under the circumstances. Maybe finishing 12th was within reach, but overall, it was a decent race for us.” He explained that their initial strategy involved selecting a tire compound that they believed would assist Pierre, but when Gasly’s race ended prematurely, Colapinto found himself as the primary representative for the team.
He noted the improvements compared to their performance in Imola, stating, “It was better than what we experienced in Imola. I also finished in a higher position, so that’s a positive takeaway. However, we did struggle to find confidence in the car, particularly in the slower corners. The car felt quite disconnected at times. Despite our efforts to extract the maximum performance, we were aware that it would be a challenge.”
Colapinto also pointed out that making his debut on the Monaco circuit, widely regarded as one of the most challenging tracks on the calendar, added to the difficulties he faced. “Monaco is not an easy place to debut with a team. The car was tricky to drive, and nothing seemed to work in our favor. Nonetheless, it’s important to recognize that we did the best we could under the circumstances.”
He maintained a positive outlook for the future, stating, “Finishing the race without any damage and in a better position than in Imola is a step in the right direction. We will put in the effort to improve and aim to be stronger when we head to Barcelona.”
The Spanish Grand Prix is set to take place the following weekend, from May 30 to June 1.
