Daily News 19

Tag: Franco Colapinto

  • Lando Norris Says FIA Should Hand Franco Colapinto a Race Ban After Baku F1 Crash

    Lando Norris Says FIA Should Hand Franco Colapinto a Race Ban After Baku F1 Crash

    Key Highlights

    • Lando Norris called for at least a one-race ban after Franco Colapinto’s restart crash at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
    • Colapinto locked up on cold tyres and brakes at Turn 1, colliding with Alpine teammate Pierre Gasly and McLaren’s Norris.
    • The incident eliminated both Norris and Gasly, while Colapinto apologized to his team, Gasly and Norris.

    Lando Norris demands tougher punishment for Franco Colapinto

    Reigning world champion Lando Norris believes Franco Colapinto should receive “at least a one-race ban” for causing a three-car incident during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix restart in Baku.

    On lap 36, Colapinto locked up his cold front tyres and went straight into Alpine teammate Pierre Gasly at Turn 1. Norris was caught in the collision as the two Alpine cars tangled, forcing both Gasly and Norris to retire from the race.

    The crash ended a difficult afternoon for Norris, who had struggled for pace and made a Turn 1 error of his own on the restart that dropped him into the pack. The McLaren driver was angered by what he considered careless driving and argued that Formula 1’s race stewards should impose stronger penalties for incidents of this nature.

    “I’ve not seen it. I just got taken out. I think the FIA should be stricter and start handing out bans for this kind of stuff,” Norris vented. “It’s careless from people. It costs a lot of money; all my parts are in the bin now. People should just get banned, because that’s not driving that deserves to be in Formula 1.

    Norris rejects cold conditions as an excuse

    Asked whether the slippery Baku circuit and low tyre temperatures provided mitigating circumstances, Norris said Formula 1 drivers should anticipate reduced grip during a restart. He also questioned whether the conditions were unusually difficult for the field.

    “In Formula 1, I think you expect drivers to anticipate things. Grip is going to be low; tyre temps are low; they weren’t even that low. In Formula 1, we want to be against the best drivers in the world, and when stuff like this happens, it’s because [they] shouldn’t be there.

    Norris said he had not yet reviewed the incident, but maintained that causing a crash during a restart warranted a significant sanction.

    “I’ve not seen it, but if you cause a crash in a restart like this, you should have at least a one-race ban.”

    Franco Colapinto apologizes after Azerbaijan GP crash

    Colapinto also accepted responsibility for the collision. The Argentine driver was battling for points alongside Gasly before his mistake ended the Alpine team’s chance of scoring with both cars and eliminated Norris from the race.

    “A big mistake,” the Argentinian acknowledged. “I locked up completely with cold tyres and cold brakes and was out of control completely. Not a lot to say more than sorry to the team, to Pierre of course, to all the factory.

    Colapinto said Alpine had worked hard to score points in Baku and described the crash as a major disappointment. He also apologized directly to Norris after recognizing that his mistake had ended the McLaren driver’s race.

    “We’ve been working really hard to score points and I threw it away with that big mistake. So, I’m very sad for the team. Of course it’s a big disappointment. I’m sorry to Lando as well.”

    Why This Matters

    The Azerbaijan Grand Prix restart highlighted the risks drivers face when grip and tyre temperatures are low in the opening corners after a neutralization. The collision had consequences for three drivers, ended Norris’s race and damaged Alpine’s points prospects while intensifying the debate over whether restart incidents should attract harsher Formula 1 penalties.

    Norris’s comments were based on his initial view from inside the incident, while Colapinto acknowledged that his lock-up left him out of control. The severity of any official response remains a matter for the FIA race stewards.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What happened between Franco Colapinto, Pierre Gasly and Lando Norris?

    During the lap 36 restart at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Colapinto locked up his cold front tyres and collided with Alpine teammate Pierre Gasly at Turn 1. Norris was also collected in the incident.

    Why does Lando Norris want Franco Colapinto banned?

    Norris believes Colapinto’s restart mistake was careless and serious enough to justify a one-race ban. Norris said such incidents cause costly damage and should receive stricter punishment.

    Did Franco Colapinto accept responsibility?

    Yes. Colapinto described the crash as a “big mistake,” said he was completely out of control after locking up, and apologized to Alpine, Gasly and Norris.

  • Five Quick Takeaways from the Azerbaijan Grand Prix

    Five Quick Takeaways from the Azerbaijan Grand Prix

    Key Highlights

    • George Russell converted pole position into victory in Baku, modestly improving his Formula 1 championship prospects.
    • Isack Hadjar delivered a strong Red Bull comeback, qualifying fourth and supporting Max Verstappen on the way to the podium.
    • Franco Colapinto’s restart mistake damaged Alpine’s points chances, while Sergio Perez impressed on the Baku street circuit.

    George Russell makes the most of Mercedes’ Baku advantage

    George Russell produced one of his most convincing weekends of the year at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, converting a dominant pole position into victory and taking full advantage of a rare difficult weekend for Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli.

    The result does not transform Russell’s Formula 1 championship prospects. His chances may have increased from roughly one percent to about two percent, but there is still no clear championship battle. Given Mercedes’ advantage over its rivals in Baku, expectations of a major title resurgence would be excessive.

    Even so, Russell did everything required of him. He secured pole by a substantial margin, controlled the race and capitalised on Antonelli’s early Q1 mistake, which prevented the Italian from showing his full potential. The weekend was arguably Russell’s strongest of the season apart from Australia.

    Russell’s victory does not prove that he can still win the championship this year. It does, however, serve as an important reminder that the Mercedes driver remains quick and should not be dismissed completely.

    Isack Hadjar validates Red Bull’s long-term confidence

    Isack Hadjar’s position at Red Bull was not considered under serious threat during his recovery from a wrist injury. However, the contract extension handed to the French driver before his Formula 1 return prompted questions about the source of the team’s confidence.

    His performance in Baku provided a strong answer. Hadjar qualified fourth and stayed close to the action after Max Verstappen encountered mechanical problems. He then followed Red Bull’s strategic expectations in the race, giving up a promising position early on to support his team-mate.

    Hadjar acted as Verstappen’s wingman and even urged the reigning Red Bull driver to increase his pace, a dynamic not seen since Sergio Perez’s early years with the team. He handled two Safety Car restarts and pressured Oscar Piastri into a mistake before following Verstappen onto the podium.

    The result marked an impressive comeback for Hadjar and demonstrated why Red Bull has selected him as a long-term team-mate for Verstappen.

    Williams’ FW48 B-spec shows promise but falls short

    Williams arrived in Baku with significant expectations surrounding its long-awaited FW48 B-specification car. The package included an all-new, lighter chassis and a redesigned floor, although the team had described the update as a step toward stronger performance in 2027 rather than a revolutionary transformation.

    The Azerbaijan weekend broadly confirmed that assessment. Williams returned to the midfield fight, and Carlos Sainz progressed to Q3, providing encouragement after a period away from the competitive centre of the field.

    However, the high-speed Baku street circuit appeared well suited to the Mercedes-powered team’s natural strengths. With that advantage, remaining well outside the points picture on Saturday felt like a missed opportunity. The FW48’s performance at the higher-downforce circuits in Malaysia and Singapore will offer a clearer indication of whether the B-spec package can deliver consistent progress.

    Alpine loses points after Franco Colapinto’s costly error

    Alpine appeared set to secure another strong result as the leading team behind the frontrunners for a third consecutive race weekend. Both Franco Colapinto and Pierre Gasly were on course to score points, but the Baku race demonstrated how quickly Formula 1 fortunes can change.

    Following the Safety Car period caused by Alex Albon’s crash, Colapinto arrived too quickly at Turn 1 during the restart. He hit Gasly, who then made contact with Lando Norris’s McLaren, turning a promising Alpine result into a costly setback.

    Colapinto quickly apologised to Gasly and the entire Alpine team. The incident came while Alpine is engaged in a close battle with Racing Bulls for fifth place in the constructors’ championship, increasing the significance of the lost opportunity.

    The team’s response will attract attention after the tension between Gasly and Colapinto at the end of the previous race in Madrid, followed by online abuse aimed at Gasly. Alpine’s handling of the latest incident, both internally and publicly, will be closely watched.

    Sergio Perez underlines his strength on street circuits

    Sergio Perez showed his street-racing expertise in Baku, finishing 13th in Thursday’s second practice session and running one second per lap faster than Cadillac team-mate Valtteri Bottas. Bottas had a new floor and dampers for qualifying, which he described as transformative, but Perez was significantly stronger in the race, pulling away from him by between one and two seconds per lap.

    Perez’s precise driving style is particularly effective on street circuits. He can manipulate the rear axle into a controlled slide without putting the car into the barriers, and he has moved beyond the unruly approach that characterised the early part of his Formula 1 career. His ability to manage his tyres has made him an archetypal ‘tyre whisperer’.

    While watching FP2 from the Cadillac garage, the team observed Perez’s technique closely. At one stage, race engineer Carlo Pasetti asked Perez about what appeared to be an unusual braking approach into Turn 1.

    “Baku style,” replied Perez, keeping a few secrets in his box.

    In the race, Perez initially shadowed the Audi cars and opened a gap of more than 20 seconds to Bottas. The Safety Car disruption briefly gave him an opportunity to take 13th place from faster cars, but Gabriel Bortoleto and Oscar Piastri eventually passed him.

    Perez finished 15th, a modest result that did not reflect the quality of his drive. His performance received less attention because the focus was on the leading battle between George Russell and Max Verstappen, but the large gap to Bottas before the Finn’s final-lap crash was notable for the Cadillac pit wall.

    Why This Matters

    The Baku weekend highlighted several important trends across the Formula 1 field. Russell’s win keeps a small possibility of a championship recovery alive while confirming that Mercedes can exploit its performance advantage when its lead driver executes cleanly. Red Bull’s confidence in Hadjar was also reinforced by a podium-supporting performance under pressure.

    Further down the field, Williams still needs to establish whether its FW48 B-spec can provide reliable gains beyond circuits naturally suited to its package. Alpine’s clash showed how quickly points can disappear in a constructors’ battle, while Perez’s pace underlined the value of street-circuit expertise even when the final result does not reflect the quality of the performance.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Did George Russell become a serious championship contender after winning in Baku?

    No. Russell’s victory modestly improved his already small title prospects, but it did not create a clear championship battle.

    Why was Isack Hadjar’s Red Bull performance significant?

    Hadjar qualified fourth, supported Max Verstappen during the race, handled two Safety Car restarts and finished on the podium. The result supported Red Bull’s decision to extend his contract and plan for him as Verstappen’s long-term team-mate.

    What happened between Alpine’s Franco Colapinto and Pierre Gasly?

    Colapinto arrived too quickly at Turn 1 during a Safety Car restart and hit Gasly. Gasly then made contact with Lando Norris, costing Alpine a strong chance of scoring points.

  • Pierre Gasly buoyed by Alpine gains after double Q3 appearance in Baku: ‘There was even more in it’

    Pierre Gasly buoyed by Alpine gains after double Q3 appearance in Baku: ‘There was even more in it’

    Key Highlights

    • Pierre Gasly qualified seventh for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix but believes yellow flags on his final runs cost Alpine a potential top-six start and a shot at overtaking Lewis Hamilton.
    • Teammate Franco Colapinto reached Q3 for the third time in 2026 but settled for tenth after a heavy lock-up at Turn 15 ruined his final flying lap.
    • With Racing Bulls rivals Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad starting outside the top ten, Alpine has a prime opportunity to cut the nine-point deficit in the ‘best of the rest’ Constructors’ battle.

    Gasly Believes Yellow Flags Masked Alpine’s True Baku Pace

    Pierre Gasly insists Alpine’s qualifying performance at the Baku City Circuit was stronger than the seventh-place grid slot suggests, revealing that yellow flags triggered by rivals running off track compromised his final two attempts in Q3. The Frenchman, fresh off his maiden pole position at Monza earlier this month, felt he had the pace to challenge Lewis Hamilton for sixth place before the session was repeatedly neutralized.

    Speaking after the session, Gasly emphasized the progress made with the A524’s setup around the demanding street layout. Very good work this weekend in terms of car set-up and getting to a place where I can really be comfortable with the balance and commit everywhere. I’m very pleased. He added that the car felt well-balanced enough to attack aggressively, a sentiment backed by his pace in the earlier qualifying segments where he peaked at sixth.

    Missed Opportunity in the ‘Best of the Rest’ Fight

    The context of the result amplifies its significance for the Enstone squad. Alpine currently trails Racing Bulls by nine points in the fight to be the leading midfield team—often termed ‘best of the rest’ behind the top four outfits. With Racing Bulls drivers Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad both eliminated outside the top ten on Saturday, the Azerbaijani Grand Prix represents a golden opportunity for Alpine to score heavily and close the gap.

    Gasly acknowledged the frustration of the yellow flags but maintained a constructive outlook on the broader championship picture. Strong Qualifying – honestly, our last two runs were both compromised with people going off, so I think there was even more in it. I think [getting] ahead of Lewis [Hamilton] was possible. He stressed that the team cannot control external factors but remains satisfied with the underlying performance. We don’t control it, we were just unlucky that people kept going off in front of us. Overall, bigger picture, I’m just happy with the car we have. It’s a good baseline that also gives me good confidence for tomorrow and the coming races.

    Colapinto Struggles with Braking Confidence in Q3

    While Gasly celebrated a strong baseline, the session was more challenging for Franco Colapinto. The Argentine rookie progressed to Q3 for the third time this season—a milestone marking Alpine’s third double-Q3 appearance of 2026—but a significant lock-up at Turn 15 on his final run induced heavy vibrations, forcing him to abort the lap and settle for tenth.

    Colapinto was candid about his difficulties with the Baku street circuit’s heavy braking zones. I think generally there’s still a lot to improve. It’s not been an easy session. I lacked a bit of pace, but then Q3 was not very well executed – I had this big lock-up and then I had really big vibrations for the last lap. He acknowledged the team’s developmental trajectory but admitted discomfort in the high-deceleration corners that define the Azerbaijan layout. We’re still doing the steps, we’re improving. I just lacked a bit in that Q3 to have a better result, but I will try to fight tomorrow and go forward. It’s good to have both cars in Q3.

    The rookie elaborated on the specific handling trait hindering his confidence. I’m not very comfortable in the hard braking zones, and here it’s full of those. It doesn’t feel so easy at the minute but we’ll try to work for tomorrow.

    Why This Matters: Constructors’ Battle Intensifies

    The Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend has evolved into a pivotal round in the midfield championship standings. Alpine’s double Q3 appearance provides a tactical advantage over Racing Bulls, who failed to place either car in the top ten shootout. With both Alpine drivers starting inside the top ten—Gasly seventh and Colapinto tenth—the French manufacturer controls the strategic initiative for Sunday’s race.

    Gasly’s assessment that Ferrari holds a pace advantage is realistic, but the gap to the Scuderia appears manageable, while the deficit to Racing Bulls on the grid offers a tangible shot at maximum points. Historically, Baku’s high attrition rate and frequent Safety Car periods reward track position and strategic flexibility—areas where Alpine currently excels. The team’s ability to extract performance from the A524 on low-downforce street circuits signals a positive development trend heading into the final flyaway races of the season.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What grid positions do Alpine drivers start from in Baku?

    Pierre Gasly will start seventh and Franco Colapinto tenth for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, giving Alpine a double top-ten start.

    How does this result affect the Constructors’ Championship battle with Racing Bulls?

    Alpine trails Racing Bulls by nine points. With both Racing Bulls drivers (Lawson and Lindblad) starting outside the top ten, Alpine has a significant opportunity to score more points and close the gap in the fight for sixth place.

    Why was Gasly unable to improve on his final Q3 runs?

    Gasly’s last two flying laps in Q3 were compromised by yellow flags caused by other drivers running off track. He believes the car had the pace to qualify sixth, ahead of Lewis Hamilton, but the session interruptions prevented him from setting a representative time.

  • Pierre Gasly Condemns Social Media Abuse as “Completely Inappropriate” After Franco Colapinto Spanish GP Incident

    Pierre Gasly Condemns Social Media Abuse as “Completely Inappropriate” After Franco Colapinto Spanish GP Incident

    Key Highlights

    • Pierre Gasly revealed he and his family received social media abuse and threats after the Spanish Grand Prix incident with Alpine teammate Franco Colapinto.
    • Both drivers addressed the issue in Baku, with Colapinto condemning the abuse and urging fans to support the team constructively rather than attack drivers.
    • The on-track incident has been resolved internally at Alpine, with both drivers confirming discussions took place and no team order for a position swap was issued.

    Gasly Details Disturbing Scale of Online Abuse After Spanish GP

    Pierre Gasly has disclosed the disturbing extent of social media abuse directed at him, his family, and his girlfriend following the Spanish Grand Prix, where an on-track situation with Alpine teammate Franco Colapinto sparked a wave of online vitriol. Speaking to media including Motorsport.com in Baku on Wednesday, the French driver described the threats and attacks as “completely inappropriate” and called on Formula 1 to address a culture where lines are crossed “too many times” by fans hiding behind keyboards.

    The incident occurred during the closing stages of the Madrid race when Colapinto, on fresher tyres, caught Gasly, who was managing worn rubber ahead of a scheduled pit stop. Despite team warnings about his teammate’s approach, Gasly held his line and requested the pit wall not distract him. Colapinto subsequently called for a position swap over team radio. Gasly pitted at the end of the lap, allowing Colapinto to inherit seventh place ahead of McLaren’s Oscar Piastri.

    Drivers Unite in Condemnation of Toxic Fan Behavior

    In the Azerbaijan paddock, both drivers presented a united front against the subsequent harassment. Gasly emphasized the personal toll when abuse extends beyond the driver to loved ones.

    “I think personally I find it a little bit disturbing for our sport. I think to the extent you know I’m a top athlete, so I know I’m exposed, it’s always been the case. But to that extent of threats and attacks, I find it a little bit, well even completely inappropriate, especially when it reaches out to family members, girlfriend, etc,”

    Gasly reflected on the changing landscape of fan interaction since his Formula 1 debut, urging the sport to foster a healthier environment.

    “I don’t think that should be the case. I leave it there, but things were not that way in the past and I think as a sport we just need to find a way to make it a healthier place because you’re exposed.” Gasly said. “You’re going to be attacked, you can be liked, you can be disliked, it’s completely fine. But there is a certain line that should not be crossed just because you’re behind the screen on a keyboard and these lines are crossed a bit too many times.”

    Colapinto, who has attracted a massive and passionate Argentine following since his arrival in F1, explicitly condemned the abuse targeting his teammate. He drew parallels to previous incidents, including the online attacks directed at Yuki Tsunoda following their clash in Austria last year and the abuse received by stewards after the Zandvoort race.

    “We are always working as a team, and it’s not nice to see it, so hopefully they can stop it,” Colapinto said. “The same that happened to other drivers, Yuki [Tsunoda following a clash in Austria] last year was quite bad as well at one point, and talked about it, and the stewards, I think after Zandvoort, went to see them as well, they had some abuse after the penalty they gave me.

    “It happens a lot with fans in Formula 1, in any sport, nowadays it’s something very common, unfortunately that shouldn’t be common, and definitely should be taken more care about the things, the words that they come out of the keyboards of everyone.

    “The way to support us as a team is to push the team forward and stay strong together, and yeah, hopefully it doesn’t keep happening, but it’s something tricky with fans in the sport, and it’s not just my fans. I’ve got some very passionate ones, and they want me to do well, and hopefully they can enjoy the good results I’m having.”

    On-Track Incident Resolved Internally at Alpine

    Beyond the social media fallout, both drivers confirmed the racing incident itself has been addressed behind closed doors at Alpine. Colapinto stated the matter was handled by the team with a focus on learning, while Gasly clarified the nature of the team communications during the race.

    “I think it was handled by the team, and I think we always try to learn from those things and those situations, so hopefully we learn and we can move forward,”

    “We obviously discussed it with the team. There wasn’t a call for an actual swap, it’s all been discussed with the team and it’s all clear.”

    Why This Matters

    The Gasly-Colapinto episode highlights a growing crisis in Formula 1 regarding online harassment. As the sport’s popularity surges—driven by Netflix’s Drive to Survive and expanding global audiences—the volume and toxicity of social media interactions have escalated. Drivers including Lando Norris, Charles Leclerc, and Nicholas Latifi have previously spoken about death threats and abuse targeting families. The FIA and Formula 1 have launched initiatives like the “Drive Out Hate” campaign, but enforcement remains challenging across decentralized platforms. For teams like Alpine, managing internal driver dynamics while protecting personnel from external toxicity has become a critical operational concern. The fact that both drivers publicly aligned on condemning the abuse—and clarified the racing incident was a misunderstanding resolved internally—signals a maturing approach to team cohesion under pressure.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What exactly happened between Gasly and Colapinto at the Spanish Grand Prix?

    During the final laps, Franco Colapinto caught Pierre Gasly on older tyres. Gasly held his position despite team warnings about his teammate’s pace, prompting Colapinto to request a position swap over radio. Gasly pitted shortly after, allowing Colapinto to finish seventh.

    Did Alpine issue a team order for Gasly to let Colapinto pass?

    No. Gasly explicitly confirmed in Baku: “There wasn’t a call for an actual swap.” The matter was discussed internally and resolved.

    Has Formula 1 taken action against online abuse of drivers?

    Formula 1 and the FIA have launched campaigns such as “Drive Out Hate” and work with social media platforms to identify and remove abusive content. However, drivers continue to report that threats—especially those targeting family members—remain prevalent and often go unpunished.

  • Franco Colapinto Reveals Key Takeaways from Gasly at Monza

    Franco Colapinto Reveals Key Takeaways from Gasly at Monza

    Franco Colapinto credited a detailed review of Pierre Gasly’s Monza qualifying masterclass for his own breakthrough performance at the Spanish Grand Prix, where the Alpine driver reached Q3 and converted a strong Saturday into a points-scoring seventh-place finish on Sunday.

    Monza Disparity Sparks Data Deep Dive

    The turning point arrived at the Italian Grand Prix. Despite running closely in the opening segment — Colapinto was fourth in Q1, just 0.050 seconds behind session-topper Gasly — the gap yawned as qualifying progressed. Gasly found three tenths in Q2 and four tenths in Q3 to claim a shock pole position, leaving his rookie teammate eighth on the grid.

    Reflecting on the session immediately after, Colapinto acknowledged the deficit:

    “Pierre was very quick throughout qualifying. In Q1 I was very close, and I think as the sessions went on, he kept improving more than I did. I have a lot to work on on my side to understand that and learn from how much he was improving with every attempt while I was falling a little bit behind,”

    Colapinto said at the time.

    Determined to close the gap, the Argentine spent the intervening week poring over telemetry and video to dissect where Gasly extracted additional performance run after run.

    Madrid Turnaround: ‘One of My Best Qualifying Sessions’

    The preparation paid dividends at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Colapinto outqualified Gasly across every segment, advancing to Q3 despite abandoning his first Q2 run after running wide at the high-speed La Monumental corner.

    Speaking to media including Motorsport.com after the race, he described the Saturday performance as a career highlight:

    “[Madrid] qualifying was one of the best qualifying sessions I’ve done, with very, very perfect laps and putting the car into Q3. It was always going to be tricky with the Audis and the RBs going very fast here,”

    Colapinto told media including Motorsport.com after finishing seventh on Sunday.

    Race day validated the single-lap pace. Colapinto held position through the opening chaos, managed tyre degradation effectively, and crossed the line seventh to secure six valuable championship points.

    “Today we stayed ahead in the race and scored a lot of points. So I’m very happy. Once again, it’s extremely positive and I’m very happy with the pace and the results.”

    Lessons in Energy Management and Incremental Improvement

    Asked specifically what he had absorbed from Gasly’s Monza approach, Colapinto highlighted a blend of driving technique and strategic systems management — the latter a critical skill in modern Formula 1 qualifying where energy deployment curves differ between Q1, Q2, and Q3.

    “I think a bit of everything,” he said. “He is more experienced and the steps he was making in everything, both in driving and energy management, from one run to another, from Q1 to Q2 to Q3, were very clear. I learned from that.”

    The rookie felt his own progression through the Madrid qualifying hour mirrored that lesson.

    “I ticked everything and I’m very pleased with that. I think after Monza I learned a lot from Pierre’s qualifying and I tried to take a step here. I did it and I maximised everything again,”

    he said.

    “I think here I was really on it in qualifying, at a very difficult track. It’s probably the most difficult one of the year to nail a lap and also the most satisfying one when you do it. Both Q2 and Q3 were amazing laps. Again, I took a step there and that’s what I was looking for. So I’m happy with that.”

    With the European summer swing underway, Alpine will hope the intra-team dynamic continues to elevate both drivers as the midfield battle intensifies.

  • F1 Fans Declare ‘silly season now serious season’ After Franco Colapinto Deal

    F1 Fans Declare ‘silly season now serious season’ After Franco Colapinto Deal

    Formula 1 fans have reacted to Franco Colapinto’s contract extension with Alpine, which secures the Argentine driver’s future with the team through the 2027 season.

    Colapinto will continue alongside Pierre Gasly after impressing Alpine since moving up from a reserve-driver role to replace Jack Doohan during the 2025 season.

    Colapinto’s Alpine contract extension

    After the first 12 rounds of the 2026 Formula 1 season, Colapinto sits 12th in the drivers’ championship with 19 points. Gasly is 10th with 44 points.

    Alpine’s announcement follows Max Verstappen’s contract extension with Red Bull, which keeps him at the team until the end of 2030. Williams has also extended the contracts of its current drivers, Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz.

    With numerous rumours about driver changes circulating in the paddock, the recent run of contract announcements has ended several silly-season stories.

    “Silly season now serious season. Happy for him though!” one fan posted on Reddit, while another added: “This season is so sensible that it’s silly.”

    “Very good to see. Colapinto has improved significantly in his time with Alpine and is more often than not following closely behind Pierre, which is no easy feat. Vamos Franco!!” wrote another fan.

    “Even though he took over the seat from a fellow Australian I’ve come to quite like his personality, and he’s quite fast too at points. Looking forward to seeing him on the track next year,” someone else posted, while another added: “Sensible decision. I think he’s doing a good job. Plus, he’s bringing in some good sponsor money, and he’s highly appreciated in his home country, so why fire him?”

    Further reactions included: “At this rate the only change on the grid could be Ocon,” and “The guy has been holding on really well. Well deserved. Happy for him.”

    Source: www.motorsport.com

  • Analysis: Why Franco Colapinto Was Rewarded with an Alpine Contract Extension

    Analysis: Why Franco Colapinto Was Rewarded with an Alpine Contract Extension

    Franco Colapinto has secured a contract extension with Alpine Formula 1 Team, locking in his race seat for the 2027 season alongside teammate Pierre Gasly. The announcement rewards the Argentine driver’s significant step forward in performance during the 2026 campaign.

    From Reserve to Race Leader

    Colapinto joined Alpine as a reserve driver in 2025 following a strong nine-race debut with Williams at the tail end of 2024, where he replaced Logan Sargeant. He was promoted to a race seat early in the 2025 season after Jack Doohan’s departure, ultimately fending off a challenge from reserve driver Paul Aron to retain the drive for 2026.

    Turning Point in 2026

    The 23-year-old’s early season form was inconsistent. Executive Advisor Flavio Briatore stated at the time that he felt Colapinto was “lost” before finding himself and his form and maturing into a “different” driver later in the season.

    That maturity translated into results. Colapinto has scored points in six of the first 12 Grands Prix of 2026, with a season-high finish of sixth place in Montreal. Combined with Gasly’s continued high performance — the Frenchman is under contract until at least the end of 2028 — Alpine sits sixth in the Constructors’ Championship, meeting the minimum target Briatore set for the year.

    Stability for a Rebuilding Project

    Alpine evaluated other options but was ultimately convinced by Colapinto’s improved on-track pace, growing maturity, and tenacity. His strong working relationship with Gasly fosters team harmony, while his rapport with Briatore and the wider engineering group has deepened.

    Commercial factors also played a role. Colapinto brings significant financial backing and a massive South American fanbase, enhancing the team’s sponsor appeal in the region. This all-round package led to the decision, with the driver believed to have been informed during the Dutch Grand Prix weekend at Zandvoort.

    Focus Shifts to 2027 Ambitions

    With the driver lineup settled early, Alpine can concentrate fully on its primary challenge: closing the performance gap to the frontrunners. The team remains in a rebuilding phase, and lineup stability is seen as critical to accelerating development.

    The early renewal also removes contract uncertainty for Colapinto, allowing him to focus on maximizing results over the remainder of 2026. Alpine is currently battling for fifth place in the Constructors’ Championship, a position the team believes is achievable by season’s end.

    That momentum would set up 2027 — when the squad will be rebranded as the Gucci Racing Alpine Formula One Team — with ambitions to significantly reduce the deficit to the top teams.

    Williams Door Closed

    Speculation linked Colapinto with a return to Williams, the team where he made his F1 debut. However, the British outfit has retained Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon for 2027, making Alpine the most logical and, ultimately, the only viable landing spot.

    Colapinto is reportedly very happy within the Alpine structure. Having failed to score in 2025, he absorbed the pressure to deliver in 2026 with impressive resilience. The challenge now is to maintain his upward trajectory and return to consistent points finishes for the rest of the season.

  • Franco Colapinto Secures New Alpine Deal for 2027 F1 Season

    Franco Colapinto Secures New Alpine Deal for 2027 F1 Season

    Alpine Retains Franco Colapinto for 2027 Formula 1 Season

    Alpine has confirmed Franco Colapinto will remain with the team for the 2027 Formula 1 season, extending the Argentine driver’s stay for a second full-time campaign.

    The 23-year-old will continue alongside Alpine lead driver Pierre Gasly, who has been Colapinto’s team-mate since the Argentine joined the French team at the seventh round of the 2025 season.

    Colapinto entered the 2026 season under pressure to impress Alpine executive Flavio Briatore after an inconsistent 2025 campaign. He responded with more reliable performances in Alpine’s significantly improved car, scoring 19 points compared with Gasly’s 44.

    His best Formula 1 result came in Montreal, where he finished sixth. After 12 rounds of the current season, Colapinto sits 12th in the drivers’ championship.

    “I am very pleased to remain with this team in 2027,” he said. “I feel very happy and very settled here and it’s been even better that we have made significant progress this year compared to last. We have a lot more milestones to reach and I know the team is working so hard in finding performance and making the car better and better.

    “Our long-term goals are obvious – to compete and win – and I am grateful to the team, Flavio [Briatore] and Steve [Nielsen], for the trust placed in me to be one of its drivers going into the future. I’m looking forward to seeing how everything plays out and focusing on my job on-track first and foremost.”

    Franco Colapinto, Alpine, Pierre Gasly, Alpine. Photo by: Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images

    Colapinto earns long-term Alpine opportunity

    Colapinto made his Formula 1 debut with Williams in 2024, completing a nine-race stint after replacing Logan Sargeant. Alpine signed him for 2025 as part of a group of reserve drivers supporting Gasly and rookie Jack Doohan.

    However, Doohan was replaced by Colapinto after the Miami Grand Prix. Colapinto initially struggled to deliver significantly stronger results than the Australian as Alpine dropped towards the back of the field.

    His promising underlying pace, combined with strong backing from Argentine sponsors, helped him retain his race seat for the 2026 season.

    “We are very happy to confirm our driver line-up for 2027 with Franco staying as a race driver alongside Pierre,” Briatore said. “For me, having consistency is very important. We are now settled from a driver point of view and I have said many times that, while this is an important piece of the puzzle, the most significant we have to get right is designing and building a fast race car which absolutely remains our number one priority.

    “We have seen Franco truly grow and mature into a great driver this year. His results in Miami and Montréal especially confirmed what I already knew: Franco belongs in Formula 1 and he belongs at this team. I expect both Franco, and Pierre, to continue doing a fantastic job on track and for the entire team to push relentlessly until we are fighting, and winning, at the front end of this sport.”

  • FIA Explores Legal Action Over Abuse Targeting F1 Stewards After Colapinto’s Dutch GP Penalty

    FIA Explores Legal Action Over Abuse Targeting F1 Stewards After Colapinto’s Dutch GP Penalty

    Formula 1’s governing body, the FIA, has strongly condemned the wave of online harassment directed at its race stewards following their decision to penalise Alpine driver Franco Colapinto and Racing Bulls driver Arvid Lindblad during the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort.

    Penalties for Overtaking Under Double Yellow Flags

    Both drivers received drive-through penalties on the opening lap for overtaking under double-waved yellow flags. The yellow flags were deployed after a heavy crash involving Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, which neutralised the final marshal sector of the circuit until the start-finish straight.

    As the yellows were shown, Colapinto overtook Racing Bulls driver Yuki Tsunoda exiting the final corner, while Lindblad drafted past Alpine’s Pierre Gasly before crossing the start/finish line. Both drivers had been forced to take evasive action due to debris on track.

    Stewards’ Verdict Cites Mitigating Circumstances

    Regarding the Colapinto incident, the FIA stewards issued the following explanation:

    “Car 43 was behind Car 22 entering Turn 14 and overtook Car 22 in the double yellow flag sector before the line at the end of Lap 1. Normally, such infringement requires a 10-second stop/go penalty, but the Stewards acknowledge the complications caused by the significant amount of debris on track at this point and take this into account as mitigating circumstances.”

    The stewards applied an identically phrased verdict for Lindblad’s infraction.

    Sponsor Criticism Sparks Abusive Backlash

    Colapinto described his penalty as extremely harsh, arguing he overtook Tsunoda a split second after the yellows appeared. However, under the strict letter of the regulations, both penalties were clear-cut, as the FIA prioritises safety-related infractions.

    The situation escalated when Colapinto’s Argentinian sponsor, Mercado Libre, launched a scathing attack on the stewards’ integrity via social media. Sean Summers, the company’s chief marketing officer, stated:

    “The Stewards are killing the integrity of F1. This season they are proving to be horrible and impacting race results,” said Sean Summers, Mercado Libre’s chief marketing officer. “Incompetence? Dishonesty? Both? Something is seriously broken in that organisation’s culture.”

    Those inflammatory comments—since removed—fuelled a torrent of abusive threats toward the FIA stewards. Alpine’s official social media channels were also targeted by a vocal section of Argentinian fans who believed the team did not support Colapinto sufficiently.

    Alpine Trusts FIA Process, Acknowledges Harshness

    On Monday, Alpine released a statement addressing the controversy:

    “We fully trust the FIA and the stewards when it comes to the policing of these rules and the application of sporting penalties during a live race scenario.

    “We believe the penalties applied for yellow flag Infringements during the opening laps of the Dutch Grand Prix were indeed harsh, but acknowledge they fit the punishment based on the letter of the law and were consistently applied across all competitors and is something we can review and learn from as a team.”

    FIA Condemns Abuse, Explores Legal Options

    The FIA, which established the United Against Online Abuse campaign to combat harassment in sport, is understood to be exploring legal avenues and released the following statement:

    “Following the Dutch Grand Prix, FIA stewards were targeted with online abuse after applying sporting penalties in line with FIA regulations.

    “The United Against Online Abuse Coalition condemns all forms of abuse and harassment. Disagreement with decisions is part of sport, but it must never justify threats or personal attacks.

    “In 2023, the FIA launched the United Against Online Abuse Coalition after a steward faced targeted abuse following the United States Grand Prix. We urge everyone engaging with our sport to do so with respect and responsibility, online and offline.”

    Nationality Bias Claims Contradicted by Facts

    Among the toxic commentary, suggestions emerged that Colapinto was penalised due to his nationality, alleging bias against non-British drivers. This narrative is directly contradicted by the identical penalty handed to Lindblad—a British driver—for a near-identical infraction on the same lap.