It was a weekend to forget at the F1 Mexico City GP for Franco Colapinto and Alpine. The Argentinian crossed the chequered flag last of the finishing cars, in 16th place, with teammate Pierre Gasly in 15th. A weekend riddled with performance struggles for Alpine. The French outfit aimed to bounce back from the clash between Colapinto and team in Austin.
Disagreements in Austin already ”in the past”
No doubt, going into this race, tensions seemed high in the Alpine garage, after the US GP. This comes after Colapinto rebelled against team orders to stay behind Pierre Gasly. The driver from Argentina instead opted to overtake the Frenchman. This was a decision Colapinto justified as a way of holding track position against Gabriel Bortoleto behind.
This act of rebellion by the Argentinian driver was met with fire by Alpine. Managing Director Steve Nielsen, releasing a team statement that expressed serious disappointment with the decision making of Colapinto.
Despite the divide created after Austin, Colapinto assured that relations were ”all good on that side. It’s already in the past, which is good”.
When questioned as to whether team orders were in effect during the race again, The 22-year-old responded that unlike Austin, ”this race was very clear. The different situations and the different circumstances that we had in the race”.
Alpine unable to find performance all weekend, despite soft stint pace
The key story of Alpines 2025 season has been the disastrous lack of pace of the A525. These struggles reached a new low at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. Both Alpine drivers failed to make it to Q2. Colapinto started last on the grid at the F1 Mexico City GP, and teammate Gasly in 18th. This comes after Alpine were able to rectify an aerodynamic problem in Austin that had plagued them for many races prior on the French driver’s car.
The former Williams driver ran a one stop race, starting on the C3 hard compound tyres. Colapinto stretched the tyres out to 43 laps before ending the race on the soft. For the Argentinian, he described this strategy as ”a very long stint on the hard. I think not really any pace”.
Despite the difficulty throughout the race to pose a threat, Colapinto appeared satisfied with his pace on the soft tyre towards the end of the race. He caught his teammate before they had to get out of the way for the leaders.
”I was quick…on the softs, I was very fast. I think that’s the only positive thing. There isn’t much to take. I’m sure we’ll analyse and learn something from it.”
With time running out this season, Colapinto remains optimistic for a big result in Interlagos
Time is running out for Franco Colapinto. A contract extension remains on the line for the Argentinian. The second seat currently remains up for grabs between Colapinto and reserve driver Paul Aron.
The Brazilian Grand Prix is up next, a race which Colapinto feels ”really excited” for.
”Just to go there and see all the fans, and see all the people supporting me. It’s going to be great.
”There was a lot of pressure, a lot of things happening. My grandfather passed out on Friday in the race in Brazil. Just a lot of emotions, and it was not a nice weekend. That’s why I want to go and enjoy this one. I’m looking forward to having a better weekend and making up for last season.”
All eyes now lie on the São Paulo Grand Prix, as Colapinto fights for his place in Formula One next season.
