The Alpine driver finished 11th in the qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix, just a tenth behind his teammate Pierre Gasly. The race takes place this Sunday at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit.
Franco Colapinto fell just short of the points zone in the qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix, the eleventh round of the 2026 Formula 1 season. The Argentine driver from Alpine recorded a time of 1m46s392 in Q2, just 0.1 seconds behind his teammate Pierre Gasly, who secured the tenth position and advanced to Q3. The penalties for Isack Hadjar and Lando Norris did not benefit Colapinto, who maintained his starting position.
A qualifying session of ups and downs
Colapinto began the weekend with a modest 15th in the first free practice session, over two seconds behind Max Verstappen. However, in the second practice, he made a statement: he placed seventh with a time of 1m47s147, surpassing Gasly, who finished 18th after exceeding track limits.
In the third free practice, performance moderated (13th), but in qualifying, the Alpine driver showcased his best form again. Colapinto recorded a time of 1m46s392 which earned him the eleventh position, just 0.103 seconds behind Gasly. The Frenchman, who advanced to Q3, finished tenth after the penalties to Hadjar and Norris.
The 22-year-old Argentine driver has already secured his seat at Alpine for the 2026 season following Jack Doohan's poor results. So far this year, Colapinto has scored points in Miami (7th), Canada (6th), and China (10th), and is aiming for his fourth top 10 in Belgium.
Spa-Francorchamps Circuit: a challenge for drivers
The Belgian track, measuring 7.004 kilometers, is one of the longest and most demanding on the calendar. With iconic corners like Eau Rouge, Raidillon, and the Kemmel straight, the circuit tests the power and grip of the single-seaters. Alpine has worked on the setup to maximise top speed, a key factor in Spa.
Colapinto, who has already demonstrated his adaptability on fast circuits like Silverstone, where he performed well, arrives with confidence. The race on Sunday will start at 10:00 local time (Argentina) and can be followed on Disney+. The weather forecast indicates dry conditions, although the weather in Spa is always unpredictable.
The battle in the constructors' championship
Alpine currently occupies fifth place in the constructors' championship, with 68 points, behind Mercedes, Red Bull, Ferrari, and McLaren. Colapinto has contributed 14 of those points, while Gasly has 54. The French team hopes to close the gap with McLaren, who is fourth with 82 points.
For Colapinto, a strong performance in Belgium would solidify his position in the team for the second half of the season. The Argentine, who arrived in F1 as a replacement for Logan Sargeant at Williams in 2024, has earned Alpine's trust with his consistency.
The race at Spa-Francorchamps promises excitement. With a tight grid, any mistake could cost positions. Colapinto, starting from eleventh place, will aim to climb up and score his first points in Belgium. The Argentine fans, who passionately follow every weekend, hope to see him back in the top ten.
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