Colapinto keeps place due to talent, say Alpine

Alpine resigned Franco Colapinto for his talent and not the Argentinian sponsorship package that supports him, team chief Steve Nielsen said on Nov 7.

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Speaking in the Interlagos paddock at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, Nielsen insisted that Alpine had considered all of the available drivers before reaching a decision to continue with the 22-year-old.

“To be honest, we had everybody on the table - and a lot more drivers that have since gone elsewhere - but gradually we moved towards choosing Franco,” he said.

“We're happy with that, but anybody that was a possibility at some stage or another, we considered them. Of course, you can’t ignore the financials...

“But ultimately we've got Franco on talent and the fact that he brings the financial side is a happy accident.”

The team are running with the branding of Colapinto’s sponsor Mercado Libre this weekend for the third race running.