Franco Colapinto appeals to his fans to not abuse fellow F1 drivers as fan backlash continues to garner attention

Franco Colapinto’s fans have been on social media, bashing and abusing the race officials, other F1 drivers, and even the Argentine team members. The Alpine star recently came out and appealed to his fans to stop the online abuse. 

Lando Norris was most recently on the receiving end of Franco Colapinto’s fans’ online abuse after the Briton made comments about the Argentine following the incident at the Azerbaijan GP. The FIA race official also received this abuse following the Dutch GP, where they handed Colapinto a penalty.

Earlier this year, after Alpine decided not to swap its drivers at the Spanish GP despite Franco Colapinto seemingly having better pace, it resulted in abuse from fans towards Pierre Gasly, Alpine team members, and even the French driver’s family members. Last year, Jack Doohan and Yuki Tsunoda received online abuse from Colapinto’s fanbase.

Franco Colapinto took to social media on October 15 and uploaded a video, requesting the fans to stop the abuse.

“But sometimes it goes too far. Instead of supporting me, other people end up being criticised and other drivers attacked – my team-mates, my mechanics, my engineers, people I work with every day. I know you think you’re defending me, but in reality you’re achieving the exact opposite. You’re helping neither me nor my future.”

The Alpine driver also suggested in the video that he will be taking a break from social media, as he said,

“Some time ago, I made the decision to take a break from social media and focus on what really matters to me: my dream, my sporting career and working with the team to achieve the desired results and goals.”

Franco Colapinto and Pierre Gasly to continue with Alpine in 2027

Franco Colapinto joined Alpine as a reserve driver for the 2025 season before replacing Jack Doohan midway through the season. The Enstone-based team confirmed Pierre Gasly and Colapinto will be staying with the team for the 2027 season.

Speaking about the same, Flavio Briatore said,

“We are very happy to confirm our driver line-up for 2027 with Franco staying as a race driver alongside Pierre. We have seen Franco truly grow and mature into a great driver this year. His results in Miami and Montreal especially confirmed what I already knew: Franco belongs in Formula 1, and he belongs at this team.”

“I expect both Franco, and Pierre, to continue doing a fantastic job on track and for the entire team to push relentlessly until we are fighting, and winning, at the front end of this sport,” he added

With Haas also confirming Rafael Camara for the 2027 season, the Racing Bulls seats are the only ones yet to be decided.

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