Franco Colapinto debuted upgraded Alpine components during Friday practice for the Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix at Monza, finishing ninth in the first session and eleventh in the second.
The Argentine driver's performance came as Alpine navigated a turbulent day marked by a contentious FIA ruling. The Appeals Tribunal, which convened Aug. 25 in Paris, upheld penalties from the Monaco Grand Prix that demoted Pierre Gasly from third place to seventh. Team principal Flavio Briatore criticized the decision.
Colapinto emerged as Alpine's top performer on Friday. In the first session, he said his run was strong. "In FP1, very good; I went out, did four laps, and set the time," he said.
His second session was less productive. "In FP2, we were a little lost, I think we took a step backward," Colapinto said. He cited high temperatures as a potential factor. "I don't know if it was the temperature, which was very hot, but the car wasn't going as well, it didn't have grip in the middle of the corner, it moved more."
He concluded: "In general, we didn't evolve at all, and I feel like we got quite a bit worse. FP1 had been very positive, with the mediums I had been very fast, and I couldn't do the quali simulation with the soft. We have to go back to that."
Colapinto's FP2 time was two tenths faster than teammate Gasly, who finished 14th in the session after missing FP1. Gasly learned of the FIA ruling stripping his Monaco podium during Friday's practice.
During Friday's practice, Colapinto had a moment at the Ascari chicane, sliding sideways but avoiding the wall. The high-speed Monza circuit demands precision; the Ascari corner is named after driver Alberto Ascari, who famously crashed at a fast, sweeping bend, his Ferrari somersaulting twice.
Qualifying and the third practice session continue Saturday.
