Alpine denies any “sabotage” towards Franco Colapinto

This type of communication is rather rare in Formula 1Rather than letting rumors and controversies run rampant during the five-week break, Alpine chose to speak out in an open letter published a few days after the Japanese Grand Prix, addressing three issues that have recently resonated strongly with the team. The team explains its approach from the outset: "Having reviewed the reactions online and on social media following the Japanese Grand Prix, we, as a team, feel it is our duty to our fans to provide answers to the questions raised."

The core of the message concerns the excesses observed online. The team explicitly condemns the attacks targeting its drivers, and in particular Franco Colapinto after his involvement in the incident with Oliver Bearman at Suzuka. It also broadens its message to the entire paddock: "The team condemns the hateful messages sent to Franco after last weekend's race in Japan (...) just as it condemns the insults and threats he has been subjected to Esteban Ocon following a collision between their two cars during the Chinese Grand Prix.

Alpine It's worth recalling a specific event: during the Chinese Grand Prix, Esteban Ocon acknowledged his responsibility after a collision with Colapinto, even going so far as to publicly apologize, both in the paddock and on social media. Despite this, the reactions quickly went beyond the realm of sport, something the team admits it didn't address early enough.

A reminder of the need for respect in a context of rising tensions.

The French team insists on one point: "This isn't about one particular group of fans, but about the entire Formula 1 community coming together to enjoy the sport we all love." In a 2026 championship marked by close races in the midfield and more frequent incidents linked to new regulations—particularly energy management—tensions are more visible. The Suzuka crash between Franco Colapinto and Oliver Bearman, caused by a speed difference of approximately 50 km/h at the moment of impact, reignited the debate. The FIA ​​has since confirmed that no further action is necessary against the Argentinian driver.

Beyond aspects related to social media, Alpine It also addresses another controversy: that of alleged unequal treatment between its two riders. Some fans have suggested a technical disadvantage for Colapinto, which the team firmly denies. "The questions concerning possible sabotage or the fact that Franco wasn't given the same car are completely unfounded."

The team provides concrete evidence: since the start of the season, Pierre Gasly and his teammate have the same equipment, with the exception of "Minor and low-performing parts that had an impact in China due to the replacement of gearbox components." In other words, no significant performance difference was intentionally introduced. Alpine However, he acknowledges a reality of development in Formula 1: some evolutions may initially appear on only one car, but "The goal will always remain to make improvements to both cars as soon as possible."

A deliberate sporting dynamic

This statement comes at a time whenAlpine has made a solid start to the season. After three races, the team is in 5th place in the Constructors' Championship, tied with Red Bull and is positioning herself as a comeback kid, after finishing last last season. She also emphasizes in her letter that "In the last two races, the team finished fourth in terms of speed." A ranking consistent with the results observed: Gasly notably finished 7th in Japan after qualifying in the same position, and he finished 6th in China after also qualifying in 7th place, confirming a valuable consistency that the team has long lacked.

Finally, the letter highlights the internal workings of the team atenstoneemphasizing the collaboration between its pilots: "Pierre and Franco regularly visit each other's offices in the engineering department to exchange data and feedback." An important point in a 2026 season where the understanding of the new single-seaters and energy systems is still under construction. Alpine This serves as a reminder that performance relies on collective effort, far removed from the often-imagined dynamics of internal rivalry. With this letter, Alpine It's not just reacting to current events; it's trying to regain control of the narrative surrounding its team. The French team is laying down a clear framework ahead of the next race in Miami.

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