Colapinto to be dropped by Alpine after Silverstone blunders?

Stats show that Colapinto’s British Grand Prix weekend ended before it began, and it could well mark the end of his short-lived stint behind the wheel of Alpine’s Formula 1 car, if indeed he was to blame for his own demise on the day. Maybe he needs some online tutoring to get on top of his game?

The 22-year-old Argentine spun into the barriers during Q1 at Silverstone, relegating him to a back-of-the-grid start. Subsequent changes to the car saw Colapinto start from the pit lane with a fresh power unit fitted, only to retire before the race had even started.

After his Qualifying shunt, Colapinto reported: "I was pushing hard trying to find the gaps we are missing, and I unfortunately lost the rear of the car. There was some contact with the tyre barrier and I thought it was okay, as we managed to rejoin the track.

"However, there were some vibrations, and we decided to pull over and stop on track. Sorry to the team, and we will keep working and try our best in the race," the 22-year-old Argentine said on Saturday evening at Silverstone.

Acting team principal Flavio Briatore said in the team's Qualifying report: "For Franco, he knows he made a mistake and needs to improve and come back strongly in the race.”

But on Sunday, it got worse as Colapinto failed to make the start. Alpine only revealed the reason 90 minutes after the chequered flag, eventually citing a "driveline issue" as the cause of Colapinto’s DNS.

The driver said: "It was not clear what the issue was at the time, which took some time to investigate during the race. All I know is that I could not pull away from the box. We tried a few things to get going again, but in the end, we had to retire the car."

But reports from the paddock suggest a different story RacingNews365 editor Ian Parkes wrote: “Alpine turned around and said that there was a driveline issue that led to Franco’s very early retirement. I’ve heard rumours in the paddock that he actually burned the clutch, and he did so for the second time this season.

“If that is to be believed, then that is a huge fundamental error for any driver to make. To do it once… but to do it twice? I think we are most definitely going to see a different driver in that car. I’d be amazed if Franco Colapinto was in that car in Belgium, I really would," Parkes added.

With Spa-Francorchamps fast approaching, the pressure is mounting on Alpine to make a call. For Colapinto, the window may already have closed. Begging the question: