The Alpine Formula 1 team has issued a fiery open letter shutting down conspiracy theories that they are sabotaging rookie driver Franco Colapinto, while simultaneously condemning a wave of toxic social media abuse directed at multiple drivers.
The 22-year-old Argentine driver found himself in the crosshairs of online trolls following a terrifying high-speed incident with Haas driver Oliver Bearman at the Japanese Grand Prix. The dangerous situation was triggered by a massive 30mph speed difference; Colapinto’s car was in energy harvesting mode as he approached the Spoon curve, just as Bearman was aggressively deploying his boost.
Fueling the online vitriol is the growing points disparity between the Alpine garage mates. Veteran driver Pierre Gasly has amassed 15 points across the season's first three races—including an impressive seventh-place finish in Japan—while Colapinto has managed just a single point and finished 16th at Suzuka.
This performance gap has sparked wild rumors among a subset of fans who claim the team is actively undermining Colapinto's machinery to favor Gasly. Alpine categorically rejected these allegations.
"Franco is our driver and the team has placed its trust in him, just as he has with the team. That is an indication of the commitment we have to Franco and his place in the team with equal footing alongside Pierre."
The French constructor made it crystal clear that both drivers receive equal treatment, though they noted the logistical realities of mid-season Formula 1 development.
"Any questions about sabotage or not giving Franco the same car are completely unfounded, which is why the team felt the need to speak out. There might be times this year when pushing in the development race that upgrades come to one car first, which the team will communicate and be completely transparent about."
In their statement, Alpine also took the opportunity to denounce the horrific treatment of their former driver, Esteban Ocon. Following a collision with Colapinto at last month's race in Shanghai, Ocon was targeted with death threats, despite publicly taking full responsibility and personally apologizing to the young Argentine.
Alpine expressed regret for not publicly condemning the severe abuse directed at Ocon sooner, reiterating that such vile behavior violates the spirit of the sport and has absolutely no place in the Formula 1 community.