Franco Colapinto's management reacts following threats received by Esteban Ocon

The fight for the final point turned into an incident during the Grand Prix of Formula 1 in Shanghai. On the 32nd round, Esteban Ocon (Haas) attempted a maneuver inside theAlpine Franco Colapinto at the entrance to turn 2. The Argentinian, who had just come out of his pit stop, was following the normal trajectory when he was hit by the front wing of the Haas, causing a spin for both drivers.

The pilot Alpine He was able to restart and continue his race, while the stewards deemed Ocon responsible for the collision. The French driver received a ten-second penalty and was ultimately classified fourteenth after a second pit stop to serve his penalty. “I deserved the penalty. I was battling with Franco the whole race, so it’s clearly my fault in that last incident. I was a bit too optimistic and the space wasn’t really there. There was a point to be won, and for him as well as for me there should have been more today. I’m glad he still scored a point, because he had a good race.”

A battle for the final point

The two drivers started twelfth and thirteenth on the grid respectively, both fitted with the hardest tires in Pirelli's range for the weekend to attempt a long-stride strategy for the first stint. Their successful starts allowed them to gain several positions in the opening laps. Franco Colapinto even found himself in sixth place early in the race after Isack Hadjar spun, a spin that Ollie Bearman had to avoid by going off the track.

The intervention of the safety car, after the stop of the car de Lance stroll However, the situation at turn 2 on lap 10 reshuffled the deck. Drivers who had already pitted were able to benefit from a low-cost stop, while Franco Colapinto and Esteban Ocon stayed out and made their tire changes later in the race. The Frenchman pitted two laps before his direct rival. When theAlpine No. 43 came out of the pits, the two drivers found themselves wheel to wheel at the entrance to the first corner. "It was either I passed it, or I scored nothing today. I was taking all the risks, but it shouldn't have ended like this."

Franco Colapinto finally managed to leave despite the damage caused by the contact. "I didn't see the replay; he simply touched me on the right rear and it damaged the car. That's how it is, he apologized and everything's fine, but it's obviously frustrating to have lost some points because of it." Despite the incident, the Argentinian driver continued his comeback, overtaking Arvid Lindblad's car before taking advantage of the retirement of Max Verstappen to finish tenth and score the last point of the Grand Prix.

A necessary message

🇬🇧 Public Service Announcement: Please do not send hate or death threats to Esteban, his family, or the Haas F1 team. It won't undo the crash and only reflects poorly on Franco's fandom. Thank you for keeping the support positive and respectful! 🙏

— Bullet Sports Management (@BulletSportsMgt) March 15, 2026

In the hours following the event, Franco Colapinto's management agency, Bullet Sports Management, published a message on social media calling for calm among its supporters. "Public service announcement: Please do not send hate messages or death threats to Esteban [Ocon], his family, or the Haas team. This will not change the incident and will only give Franco fans a bad image. Please continue to support him in a positive and respectful manner."

A message that inevitably brings to mind the situation involving Jack Doohan. Last year, he too was targeted on social media by some fans who felt he had stolen the Argentine's seat within the club. AlpineAt the time, the wave of insults and threats reached such a level that the South American driver had to increase his security during the Miami Grand Prix, even traveling with a bodyguard. This episode left its mark on the paddock and illustrated the way online reactions to racing incidents can sometimes spiral out of control.

ALSO READ > Esteban Ocon apologizes for clash with Franco Colapinto: “It was my fault”