'Looking strong compared to the midfield cars' – Alpine duo optimistic after reaching SQ3 for Miami Sprint

Franco Colapinto believes that Alpine are "looking strong compared to the midfield cars" this weekend ahead of the Miami Grand Prix, with the Argentinian and team mate Pierre Gasly both set to start in the top 10 for the Miami Sprint.

Colapinto will start P8 for Saturday's Sprint at the Miami International Autodrome, equalling his best-ever Qualifying performance in any format and marking the first time both Alpine cars have reached the top 10 ahead of a Grand Prix or Sprint this season.

Colapinto was left thrilled having overcome a problem with his A526 in Friday's sole practice session as Alpine brought new upgrades this weekend.

"I'm happy because we turned around something that was quite tough and it took us a while to understand and I think we are finally getting in the the rhythm and understanding some of the pace that we lacked," he said after Sprint Qualifying.

"Doing good laps all day on a track that I know, on a Sprint weekend which is more difficult. Just all very positive today.

"I think it's been a good break for us to kind of reset and go again, understand where we need to work and we worked I think really well in the right direction. I'm pleased with the performance today but of course it's just the start of the weekend.

"I think the pace is looking strong, compared to the midfield cars we are looking good."

Alpine have only claimed one double-points finish this season, in the Chinese Grand Prix, but the squad sits joint fifth in the Teams' standings, largely courtesy of Gasly scoring points in all three Grands Prix.

The Frenchman will start the Miami Sprint from P10 but was left unhappy with the performance, believing there is far more potential to come if the team can overcome excessive wheelspin.

"Not really good because it has been very difficult since this morning. We've seen something is not quite working on my side and I'm having a lot of wheelspin," he said.

"Unfortunately we didn't really have enough time to get to the bottom of it but it hasn't felt good so we'll have to work hard to improve it for tomorrow because I think I'm going to struggle in the race as it stands.

"Still, [we] managed to get the two cars in the top 10 which is good but we just have a lot more potential to unlock."