The latest season of Drive to Survive has once again peeled back the curtain on the ruthless inner workings of Formula 1 – and one particularly tense moment placed young Argentine Franco Colapinto directly in the firing line of the sport’s most famously uncompromising operator, Flavio Briatore.
But while the episode portrays a brutal dressing-down from the Alpine boss, Colapinto himself is refusing to fuel the drama.
Instead, the rookie insists the confrontation was simply another lesson in the high-pressure world of F1.
A Brutal Moment Caught on Camera
The flashpoint came during the 2025 season after Colapinto was drafted into the seat at Alpine F1 Team, replacing Australian rookie Jack Doohan mid-campaign.
Thrown into the deep end alongside established team leader Pierre Gasly, the Argentine quickly discovered the intensity of life inside the Enstone outfit – and the equally intense expectations of Briatore.
A behind-the-scenes conversation captured by Netflix showed the Italian boss delivering a blunt verdict on Alpine’s second-driver struggles.
“I’m going to sum up the situation. We need to understand that we haven’t been that great until now. Let’s say that, between the two of you, Pierre has been better. Now we have to get some points,” Briatore said.
Colapinto attempted to offer a technical idea.
“We can try something on my car,” he replied.
The suggestion was quickly shut down.
“I don’t give a s***, OK? I decide what I’m doing, I decide,” Briatore fired back. “You are the problem, you have to understand. You have to improve your performance. That’s essential.”
For viewers of the documentary, it was classic Flavio – sharp, confrontational and unapologetically direct.
Colapinto Shrugs Off the Drama
Yet speaking ahead of the 2026 season opener in Melbourne this weekend, Colapinto appeared largely unfazed by the exchange that has since circulated widely among fans.
“I haven't watched it, to be honest. I don't really consume that too much,” he told reporters.
“Especially when you drive and you're in the paddock, you live and know everything that happens. It's a great show, and it brought a lot of fans to the sport, and for that, we are all very grateful with that extra amount of people that kind of became fans after watching the series.”
Pressed further on the moment itself, the Argentine delivered a surprisingly measured response – even suggesting Briatore’s harsh words may have been justified.
“Flav has been, with me, very helpful in every way, and he gave me a great opportunity, and I try to maximise it,” he acknowledged.
“I don't even know when it was filmed, but probably he was right at the time, you know? When he shouts at me, there is normally a reason for it.”
Read also: Alpine F1 enrolls Alex Dunne into junior academy
Rather than resentment, Colapinto framed the episode as part of the learning curve facing any young driver stepping into Formula 1.
“He's been a great leader, he's a great businessman, he's very successful in every business he's been at, and he manages to get the people to perform. Sometimes in a different way to how others do, but it's all great learning,” he said.
“And also an understanding of how you deal with different situations. It's very hard for people to understand the amount of pressure also everyone is under in a race week, in a racing team. Not only the drivers are under that amount of pressure, and it's part of the sport, I guess.”
If the Netflix cameras were hoping to spark a controversy, Colapinto has clearly chosen a different route.
Instead of escalating the tension, the 22-year-old is embracing the old-school tough love that has long defined Briatore’s management style – proof that in Formula 1, sometimes the harshest lessons arrive with the loudest voices.
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