Jacques Villeneuve, tough with Franco Colapinto

The 1997 champion spoke after Alpine confirmed the Argentine driver’s continuity for 2026 as Pierre Gasly’s partner.

Jacques Villeneuve has proven several times to have a sharp tongue. The 1997 champion with Williams does not tremble when asked for an opinion on any Formula 1 topic. And in a recent interview with a betting platform, the Canadian analyzed Alpine’s decision to renew Franco Colapinto’s contract. for the 2026 season.

“It is not the results on the track that we have seen from outside that could justify this extension in Alpine,” he began. the winner of 11 Grand Prix. “I think it is very similar to the time of paid pilots; a team driver who was a paid driver to finance the team. “That’s all Colapinto is,” Villeneuve added.

“He showed flashes of speed, but it is not constant,” he concluded.. It is clear that the financial support that the Argentine pilot has is seductive and a huge help to have his seat (as in many other cases). In 2026, with new regulations and a car that Alpine hopes will be more competitive, Colapinto will have to prove that his place is not just about what Villeneuve says.

Former Italian driver Davide Valsecchi He also gave his opinion on the choice of Alpine and does not understand why they did not go for Leonardo Fornaroli, F3 2024 champion and current F2 leader. “We should call Flavio Briatore and ask him why he confirms Colapinto instead of hiring Fornaroli. There are many interests at stake. In my opinion, they should have signed Fornaroli. “Formula 1 should be meritocratic,” said the 2012 GP2 champion. “I think he deserves a chance in Formula 1: he doesn’t crash, he causes little damage and makes few mistakes, he is good in qualifying, he wins and he doesn’t complain. If they put him in, he will have a great career,” he added.

Finally, Davide, current F1 commentator, spoke directly about the Argentine driver: “In my opinion, in Colapinto’s place, he would have done everything Colapinto does, but a little faster and without making all the mistakes he made.”