Overview
- Colapinto produced mixed practice times across the weekend, posting eighth in FP1, dropping to 16th in FP2 and improving to 14th in FP3 as Alpine tried different set-ups.
- A spin on his decisive Q2 lap prevented Colapinto from completing a timed run on new tyres and left him eliminated from the fight for the top 10, leaving him to start the race 16th.
- Alpine introduced a package of aerodynamic updates for Austria, including a new front wing, but drivers and engineers said the changes did not improve high‑speed balance and made the car feel 'disconnected'.
- Per Mercedes’ guidance Alpine fitted new batteries to its cars at the Red Bull Ring and remains scheduled to receive a more substantial Mercedes ICE upgrade at the Belgian Grand Prix.
- Team principal Flavio Briatore said Colapinto remains under evaluation with a 2027 seat decision to be taken after the mid‑season break, placing added emphasis on his development this summer.