Franco Colapinto could follow in Lewis Hamilton's footsteps at Ferrari and replicate what happened with the seven-time world champion in 2025.

The British driver had many problems with the car that Scuderia gave him last year, something that even put the possibility of retirement on the table; however, the f1exclusivo account has reported that the 2026 Alpine could have the same problems.

This is what they reported: “The latest Ferrari, in which David Sánchez was one of the main creators within Scuderia Ferrari, had some problems similar to those of Franco Colapinto and Pierre Gasly's A526. Understeer problems. High sensitivity to wind, which affected the balance of the car,” they reported.

Formula 1 history shows that technical similarities don’t always translate into identical outcomes. While comparisons between Colapinto’s current situation and Hamilton’s reported Ferrari struggles may raise eyebrows, preseason analysis often amplifies weaknesses that teams later manage to correct. Understeer and aerodynamic sensitivity are not uncommon in new-generation cars, especially under evolving regulations.

What will ultimately define Colapinto’s trajectory is not early testing chatter, but how Alpine adapts once real race data becomes available. Development curves in modern F1 are steep, and solutions can emerge quickly with the right engineering direction.

Still, the parallel is compelling enough to keep observers watching closely. If history is repeating itself, the season could deliver unexpected turbulence — but if lessons have truly been learned, this storyline may evolve into something far more competitive than predicted.

Franco Colapinto and his alleged salary at Alpine since his return in the 2025 Formula 1 season has generated a lot of reactions on social media.

According to information from the AlpineClub_esp account, this is what the Argentine driver is earning at the French team: “Franco Colapinto's salary at Alpine since Imola: €45,000 per race.”

In other words, if the South American driver finishes the World Championship in the top category, he would have earned €810,000. This is far from what other drivers in the series earn.

However, we should also mention that the Latin American athlete is supported by important sponsors from Argentina, which strengthens his position both inside and outside Alpine.

Roundtablesports is Free to join!

You can post your own thoughts, comment on articles, and start conversations with our Roundtable Writers. Scroll up to the top of the page and click ‘Join'.

 Download the FREE Roundtable APP, and get even easier access to your favourite teams and news!