F1 expert claims Flavio Briatore recruited Franco Colapinto to find new Schumacher.

The appointment of Franco Colapinto as a reserve pilot Alpine continues to shake up the world of Formula 1 in Europe. The decision to Franco Briatorewhile the driver market already seemed locked, fuels the analyzes of the specialized media. However, for some experts, this does not come as a real surprise: “I knew for a fact this was going to happen. I've said it since day one: Knowing Flavio, he'll take it. He's going to take it because Flavio is looking for the next Fernando, the next Schumacher,” said the Spaniard Joan Villadel talkwho has a wealth of experience spanning 50 years in Formula 1, including as chief mechanic at Ferrari.

“Colapinto showed flashes of genius. There are a lot of geniuses in Formula 1: Lando and others, right? Despite all the mistakes. But he is young. In his first season, what he achieved, compared to his teammate, who is the only possible reference, a fast Formula 1 driver, was brilliant, really brilliant. Did he make any mistakes? Normal. But we feel something special in him. And in these moments, you have to take risks quickly,” added the one who started at McLaren and who worked alongside Schumi when he was a director at Benetton.

He also shared daily life with the Italian Briatore. “Knowing Flavio, I was convinced that he didn't trust Doohan. So what does Flavio do? He probably signed a contract with Doohan, not for six races, but a contract conditional on the performance of the teammate : if you are less than a second away, everything is fine; if you go over a second, I can replace you after two or three races,” he predicted during the latest broadcast of Duralavita, a YouTube channel specializing in motorsport.

Villadelprat points out that he had already seen a similar case when he was general manager of the Prost Acer team. Gastón Mazzacane had a similar contract and was dropped after the first four races of the 2001 season to make way for Luciano Burti, while Pedro de la Rosa awaited an opportunity as a reserve driver. “I knew it, because we had Pedro de la Rosa at Prost. Poor Mazzacane was not less than a second behind Alesi, and indeed, we replaced him with other drivers. But this place was for Pedro and there is no need to recall his story,” he reinforced.

Still involved in the world of F1 as a commentator on various Spanish media, he also insisted on the support enjoyed by Franco Colapinto. “Having a country behind you is another of the things that Flavio has in mind. What did Fernando (Alonso) own? A country behind him, you know. When you have a country behind you, there are also financial interests. There is always money for this. Be careful not to see the Argentine Grand Prix return,” he warned. He added: “Today's F1 is not natural and the arrival of a young driver with this freshness makes a huge difference.”

When another live guest, driver Dani Juncadella, criticized Alpine's recruitment of Ryo Hirakawa – an announcement made just before Colapinto's – Villadelprat bluntly retorted: “For the Japanese, there could be several justifications. Flavio has several contracts in Japan, which could mean a financial contribution, and Alpine needs liquidity. Perhaps this is the explanation. Concerning Colapinto, I was convinced of this decision, I would have taken it if I had been in his place. It's his style and mine. Flavio doesn't reinvent anything. We have already done this with Schumacher, by recruiting him to Jordan, in a very effective way.