Alpine driver Franco Colapinto has asked his fanbase to stop directing online abuse at other Formula 1 drivers and figures within the sport because it is “not helping” his career.
After becoming the first Argentine driver to compete in F1 for more than 20 years when he was drafted in by Williams midway through the 2024 season, Colapinto has received huge support from his home nation.
However, since Colapinto joined Alpine in 2025, the team have had to issue several statements condemning online hate and abuse following incidents involving the 23-year-old driver.
Colapinto had previously spoken out against online abuse but suggested on several occasions that it was a societal issue rather than a specific problem with his fanbase. His position now appears to have changed.
In a video posted on social media, Colapinto said: “Hello everyone. There’s something very important that I’ve needed to talk to you about for some time.
“I probably should have spoken to all of you sooner, but this is something that needs to be addressed, something we need to change and improve.
“I will always be grateful, and I genuinely feel incredibly fortunate to have had you all supporting me from the very beginning.
“I’m grateful for all the support you give me, for how you help me achieve results, and for how you constantly push me to aim higher.
Ted Kravitz visits Buenos Aires to catch up with Argentina’s local hero Franco Colapinto to discuss how Formula 1 has become so popular in his home country.
“You help me and the team achieve our results, race after race, day after day, as we train and try to improve. And I’m genuinely grateful for all of that.
“I know it makes you incredibly proud when things go well for me, when I score points for myself and the team. And I have always been very grateful for that support.
“But sometimes, we go too far.
There was carnage on the safety car restart after contact between Alpine team-mates resulted in Lando Norris crashing out of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
“Instead of supporting me, we end up criticising people and attacking other drivers, other colleagues, my team-mates, my mechanics, my engineers – people I work with every single day.
“I know you think you’re defending me, but you’re actually doing the opposite. You’re not helping me or my future.”
There have been several notable incidents of drivers facing online abuse in situations that appeared to be related to Colapinto’s fanbase.
Franco Colapinto shares the response of Pierre Gasly and Flavio Briatore to his Azerbaijan GP crash.
There was major hostility towards Jack Doohan at the start of the 2025 season before Alpine replaced the Australian driver with Colapinto after just six rounds.
Then, during the 2026 season, FIA race stewards were abused after Colapinto received a penalty at the Dutch Grand Prix, before his team-mate Pierre Gasly hit out at “disturbing” threats he received following the Spanish Grand Prix in September.
Reigning world champion Lando Norris then received abuse after making heavily critical comments about Colapinto after the Argentine caused a crash that took him out of the race during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Lando Norris reflects on his critical comments about Franco Colapinto.
Norris later apologised for his comments about Colapinto, but Alpine once more issued a statement condemning social media abuse.
In August, Alpine confirmed a one-year contract extension for Colapinto to remain with the team for the 2027 season.
He responded well to that news with points-scoring results in Italy and Spain at the start of September, but has failed to score at the three races since.
Formula 1 next heads to The Americas for another triple header with the United States Grand Prix in Austin up first on October 23-25, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
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