Franco Colapinto tested Alpine’s aero upgrades in Silverstone filming day after ‘promising’ CFD data.
Alpine chiefs think there is more to gain with the A525’s aerodynamic platform, according to Autosport Web, which reports that Colapinto tested Alpine’s latest aero updates during a filming day at Silverstone this Wednesday.
17 Apr 2026
Kyle Archer
F1 Oversteer

Alpine’s wind tunnel, CFD and simulator tests had all yielded ‘promising results’, which they wanted to check in real-world conditions before unleashing them in a race weekend. Alpine also utilised the filming day to conduct further tests on utilising their Mercedes power unit. After the Renault Group closed the French brand’s factory F1 engine programme, Alpine set foot into new territory this year by becoming a Mercedes PU customer. Alpine are still trying to fully understand Mercedes’ engine, owing to changes brought by the 2026 F1 regulations.

It has also been said that Alpine viewed their filming day at Silverstone as a training exercise for Colapinto, given that Gasly has earned 15 of their 16 points to sit eighth in the F1 drivers’ standings. The Argentine ranks in just 16th place after three rounds with his one point so far. Colapinto is the lowest-ranked driver to have earned a point over the opening three rounds, with Haas’ Esteban Ocon boasting a superior second-best finish to sit in 15th place with one point.

Ocon took P11 in Australia and P14 in China before taking his point with P10 in Japan. Alpine will now want to see Colapinto make full use of their new aero updates at the Miami Grand Prix to help Gasly fend off Haas for the best midfield team status. Colapinto only took P14 in Australia and P16 in Japan, 33.433s behind Gasly, on either side of his P10 in China.

‘Promising results’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/fra...sing-cfd-data/


Flavio Briatore schedules extra ‘training’ for Franco Colapinto as Alpine struggles continue
16 Apr 2026
David Comerford
F1 Oversteer

Flavio Briatore lines up Alpine test for Franco Colapinto. Alpine used their second permitted filming day at Silverstone, home of the British Grand Prix, on Wednesday. Their programme was capped at 200km by the regulations, but they were able to test their upgrade package for the Miami GP.

According to Motorsport IT, Briatore chose Colapinto over Gasly for the test because he knows that he ‘needs the most training’. Gasly is in ‘excellent form’ but the Argentine is lagging behind. Even at the season opener in Australia, one Alpine insider said Colapinto is not ‘on the same level’ as Gasly. With the team battling for a top-five spot in the constructors’, they need production from both drivers.

Briatore is notoriously impatient with drivers but he has given Colapinto the best part of a year since he replaced Jack Doohan. The Argentine survived a scoreless 2025, partly due to Alpine having the slowest car on the grid, but expectations have increased, in line with the team’s improvements. Colapinto has not met that standard so far.

‘Not ‘on the same level’ as Gasly’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/fla...gles-continue/


Colapinto to drive F1 car on the streets of Buenos Aires
31 Mar 2026
Toshifumi KITAMURA / AFP
Buenos Aires Times

Argentine driver Franco Colapinto confirmed Tuesday that he will perform a special driving "road show" demonstration in a Formula 1 car on the streets of Buenos Aires on April 26, ahead of competing in the Miami Grand Prix in May. “See you at home, everyone come along!” wrote the 22-year-old driver on Instagram on Tuesday as he announced the event. The event will turn Avenida del Libertador and Avenida Sarmiento, in the tourist district of Palermo, into a two-kilometre street circuit. He will drive 2012 E20, powered by a Renault V8 engine, fully branded with the Alpine team’s livery. It will be the first time a Formula 1 car has been driven in Buenos Aires in 14 years.

“Driving a Formula 1 car at home will be one of the most special moments of my life. It’s my way of giving back, even if only a little, all the support and affection I’ve received since I was very young, which drives me every day to keep dreaming of achieving all my career goals. Every message, every flag and every word of encouragement has always been there for me. This is for all of you, so we can enjoy this special moment together,” said Colapinto in a statement.

‘F1 car on the streets of Buenos Aires’;

https://www.batimes.com.ar/news/spor...os-aires.phtml


Alpine publish 11-page letter over Colapinto ‘sabotage’ accusations
2 Apr 2026
Kieran Jackson
The Independent

Alpine’s F1 team have published a unique 11-page letter on Thursday after accusations of “sabotage” towards their driver Franco Colapinto on social media.

‘Unique 11-page letter’;

https://www.independent.co.uk/f1/alp...-b2950747.html


Alpine highlight “equal opportunity for both drivers to be competitive,” in open letter addressing online abuse
6 April 2026
Jawad Yaqub
F1 Chronicle

Alpine have issued an open letter highlighting their commitment to providing “equal opportunity for both drivers to be competitive,” following online abuse accusing the team of sabotaging Franco Colapinto’s car. The sabotage claims emerged during the Shanghai weekend, where it was alleged that Pierre Gasly’s car was deliberately superior in performance to Colapinto’s.

This claim was ultimately rebuked by Alpine, who addressed the issue of low-performance-impacting parts used in China. “The team endeavours to put the two fastest cars on track and provide equal opportunity for both drivers to be competitive and score important points for the team in the championship,” said the open letter.

“This has remained the case this year and both Pierre and Franco have been running with the same equipment, barring some small low-performance impacting parts in China due to switching gearbox components. 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.”

‘Sabotage claims’;

https://f1chronicle.com/alpine-highl.../?nowprocket=1


Alpine rejects ‘sabotage’ accusations in strong Colapinto defence
3 Apr 2026
Tobia Elia
GPblog.com

Alpine moved to shut down any speculation over a disparity in equipment between its two drivers. "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. That being said, the aim will always remain to bring upgrades to both cars where possible."

The note finally reads: "It’s absolutely not in the team’s interests to not score points and any suggestion of self sabotage isn’t conducive to that ultimate end goal. From the opening races, the team finds itself in a strong position and the team is not counting on its laurels and is staying grounded. At the last two races, the team has been the fourth fastest car and we know we have to work incredibly hard to stay there and have two cars regularly in with a chance of scoring points."

‘Alpine rejects ‘sabotage’ accusations’;

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/alpin...apinto-defence


Alpine have a new off-track ‘problem’ with Franco Colapinto and his F1 future is in doubt
13 Apr 2026
Tyler Rowlinson
F1 Oversteer

Franco Colapinto is facing pressure from Alpine to keep his seat in Formula 1 in 2026, and the Enstone outfit are finding more issues with the Argentine. Since replacing Jack Doohan six races into 2025, Colapinto has struggled to match the pace of teammate Pierre Gasly.

In 2026, the Frenchman has finished in the points in every race so far, while the 21-year-old only scored his first points for Alpine in Shanghai. The pace deficit between the two drivers, notably in qualifying, has been a real issue. Alpine insiders say Colapinto is not on Gasly’s level, and now the team could have a problem with the Argentine off the track.

‘Franco Colapinto is facing pressure’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/alp...e-is-in-doubt/


Franco Colapinto sends defiant message amid rapid Alpine improvement
5 Apr 2026
Samuel Coop
RacingNews365

Franco Colapinto has explained how Alpine's resurgence in F1 this season has made him "happier" and feeling "more confident" compared to the torrid campaign the team endured last year. "I'm happier, of course," he told media, including RacingNews365. "When you can fight a bit further up, it makes you feel more confident, makes you give that extra little bit in different situations.”

"I think when you are so close to Q3, when you're in the fight, it is different. Last year, unfortunately, we didn't have that. This year, it's looking much better, and of course, the car did steps, and it's looking much closer to the other teams."

‘Defiant message’;

https://racingnews365.com/franco-col...ne-improvement