– Franco Colapinto was left dissatisfied after qualifying in Monza. While his Alpine teammate Pierre Gasly sensationally took pole position, the Argentine did not get beyond eighth place in Q3.
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The result was especially puzzling because the 23-year-old had been on par with the Frenchman in practice and also in Q1. In the first segment, Gasly set the best time, with Colapinto just 0.050 seconds behind in fourth place.
In Q2, however, Gasly was three tenths faster. In the decisive Q3, the gap finally grew to four tenths, which left Colapinto puzzled.
Gasly surprised in Monza
“Pierre was extremely fast throughout qualifying. In Q1 I was still very close, but I think as the session progressed he improved significantly more than I did. On my side, there is a lot to analyze to understand and learn how much he was able to improve with each attempt, while I fell back a bit,” the Argentine said at the time.
After podium snatch: Gasly SHOCKS the competition! | Qualifying F1 Monza 2026
That these were not empty words became clear after the Italian Grand Prix: Colapinto delved into the data to investigate the causes – and this work immediately bore fruit last weekend at the Spanish Grand Prix.
At the Madrid circuit, Colapinto was consistently faster than his teammate in qualifying. Especially with his last lap in Q2, he made a strong impression and advanced to Q3 after having to abort his first attempt following a scare in the fast section La Monumental.
Colapinto strikes back in Madrid
“Yesterday’s qualifying was one of the best sessions I’ve ever driven – with absolutely perfect laps and making it into Q3. It was clear from the start that it would be tight because Audi and the Racing Bulls were extremely fast here,” Colapinto explained after finishing the race on Sunday in seventh place – as the highest-placed driver behind the top teams and even ahead of Oscar Piastri in the McLaren.
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How the wrong winner won the Spanish GP | Race F1 Madrid 2026
“Today we stayed at the front in the race and scored important points. So I am very happy. It went extremely well again, and I am very satisfied with the pace and the result.”
Colapinto showed a flawless weekend on the demanding Madrid circuit. The track put both young drivers like Arvid Lindblad and Oliver Bearman as well as experienced veterans like Lewis Hamilton or polesitter Lando Norris to a tough test.
The lessons Colapinto learned
“I have checked off all the points and am very satisfied with that. I think after Monza I learned a lot from Pierre’s qualifying and tried to take a step forward here. I succeeded, and I got the maximum out again,” Colapinto continued.
Photo gallery: Madrid: Driver ratings by Marc Surer and the editorial team
When asked what specific lessons he took from Gasly’s qualifying performance in Monza, the Argentine explained: “I think a bit of everything. He brings more experience, and the steps he made in all areas – both in driving style and energy management from run to run, from Q1 through Q2 to Q3 – were very clearly visible. I learned from that.”
“Here I was fully focused in qualifying, and that on a very difficult track. It is probably the hardest circuit of the entire year to nail a lap perfectly, but also the most satisfying when you succeed. Both Q2 and Q3 were fantastic laps. I took another step forward there, and that was exactly my goal. Accordingly, I am satisfied.”
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