Alpine Issues Open Letter Addressing Colapinto Backlash, Denies Sabotage Claims

Alpine has publicly condemned the online abuse directed at driver Franco Colapinto following his collision with Oliver Bearman in Japan and firmly denied any suggestions of internal sabotage. In a lengthy open letter, the team called for respectful discourse within the F1 community while detailing its commitment to providing equal equipment to both Colapinto and teammate Pierre Gasly.

Why it matters:

The statement is a direct response to the toxic social media reaction that has followed two high-profile collisions involving Alpine drivers in as many races, highlighting a growing issue in modern F1 fandom. By addressing both abuse and conspiracy theories, Alpine is attempting to set a standard for fan interaction and protect its drivers and team morale, emphasizing that such vitriol is antithetical to the sport's spirit.

The Details:

• Condemning Abuse: The team explicitly condemned the hateful messages aimed at Colapinto after Suzuka, equating it to the abuse teammate Esteban Ocon received from some Colapinto fans after their clash in China. Alpine stated abuse from any fanbase toward any driver is "unacceptable."
• Addressing the Incident: Alpine emphasized driver safety first, noting Bearman was okay after the 50G impact. It referenced the FIA's review, which deemed no penalty was necessary but noted the "closing speeds" characteristic of the cars would be examined.
• Denying Sabotage Claims: The letter directly refuted online speculation that Colapinto is being given an inferior car. Alpine stated both drivers have had the same equipment in 2024, barring some low-impact parts in China due to a gearbox change.
• Upgrade Transparency: The team acknowledged that in the fast-paced development race, upgrades may occasionally reach one car first due to manufacturing constraints, but the goal is always to equip both cars equally. Any such instances will be communicated transparently.
• Highlighting Driver Collaboration: Alpine offered a rare glimpse into internal teamwork, revealing that Gasly and Colapinto regularly share data and feedback at each other's engineering desks, describing the group as "very much united and all pulling in the same direction."

What's Next:

Alpine heads into the short break before Miami sitting as the perceived fourth-fastest team, a position it aims to consolidate. Both drivers will spend time at the Enstone factory working on the simulator with engineers to extract more performance. The team's public stance is now clear: it will continue to race hard on track while advocating for respect off it, urging fans to engage in passionate but fair debate as the season progresses.