Alpine driver Franco Colapinto has resisted suggestions he could hit the casinos during Monaco Grand Prix weekend, claiming he “doesn’t have money” yet. The 21-year-old is in the infancy of his F1 career, but his jokey comment risks rubbing some the wrong way after he was confirmed to have penned a five-year contract at Alpine.
In January, Colapinto’s manager revealed he had committed five years to Alpine, initially joining from Williams as the team’s reserve driver. He was the subject of interest from Red Bull ahead of Sergio Perez’s departure, but Alpine’s executive advisor Flavio Briatore led a successful pursuit.
Colapinto has since replaced Jack Doohan alongside Pierre Gasly after the Australian failed to score a single point across the season’s first six Grands Prix.
He will race for Alpine on at least four more weekends after making his debut in the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, finishing in P16.
The Argentine has the opportunity to prove himself in Monaco, Spain, Canada and Austria, then a re-evaluation will reportedly take place before the British Grand Prix in July.
His next outing will come in Monaco this weekend, notorious for its tricky track, stunning scenery and countless casinos.
But rather than indulging in the local culture, Colapinto appears fully focused on putting on a show and earning a permanent spot in Alpine’s driver pairing.
When asked whether he’d be hitting the casinos this weekend in a recent interview, Colapinto replied: “No, no [I’m not into poker and gambling]. I’m trying not to. I don’t have money to spend yet.”
While it’s easy to understand why the F1 starlet will be staying clear of the roulette tables, it’s not exactly difficult to shrug his parting comment off as untrue.
That’s especially because while running through the details of his Alpine contract earlier this year, his agent shared that he had signed a deal until 2029.
Maria Catarineu, commercial director at Bullet Sports Management, explained: “Williams gave Franco to Alpine for five years.”
Catarineu also poured cold water over suggestions that there was a loan arrangement between Williams and Alpine.
She claimed that if there was future interest in Colapinto from elsewhere in the paddock, his suitors would have to deal with Alpine rather than his former team.
“I understand that, if another team appears interested in Franco, within that period, I guess it would be a negotiation between Alpine and the other team,” Catarineu added.
