The Alpine F1 team has responded decisively to accusations from fans that it is undermining one of its drivers, Franco Colapinto, in favour of his teammate Pierre Gasly. Following the first three races of the season, Gasly has consistently outperformed Colapinto, leading to speculation that Alpine is providing preferential treatment through superior upgrades and even sabotaging Colapinto’s car.
In a detailed social media statement, Alpine condemned the “hateful” comments circulating online and firmly denied any sabotage claims. The team stated that they aim to field the fastest possible cars and provide both drivers with equal opportunities to score points. They acknowledged that logistic challenges might sometimes result in only selective upgrades being available at certain events, but emphasised that this is not their desired approach.
The statement clarified that both Gasly and Colapinto have been racing with similar equipment, save for minor parts affected by gearbox changes during one race in China. The team expressed trust in Colapinto and reiterated their commitment to treating both drivers fairly.
Alpine pointed out that any suggestion of sabotage is unfounded and counterproductive to the team’s goals. They highlighted the team’s desire to score points collectively in the constructors’ championship, which depends on the performance of both drivers.
After a disappointing 2025 season, where they had the slowest car and finished last in the championship, Alpine has shown considerable improvement under the new regulations for 2026. Gasly has been particularly strong, finishing seventh in Japan and consistently placing in the top ten in previous races, while Colapinto, who has struggled (not finishing in points thus far), lagged significantly behind in performance.
Colapinto’s challenges have incited passionate responses from his Argentinian supporters, a fanbase known for its fervour, leading to controversy within the F1 community. Previous incidents have also highlighted tensions among fans and drivers, particularly regarding Colapinto’s position on the team.
As F1 prepares for a five-week break due to the cancellation of upcoming races, the next competition will be a sprint weekend in Miami from May 2-4 (AEST). The Alpine team’s commitment to transparency and fairness remains at the forefront of their approach as they navigate this season.