Alpine Defends Colapinto, Condemns Online Abuse

Formula 2 team stands by driver amid backlash over recent incident.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 1:05pm

A cubist, geometric painting in shades of blue, white, and red, depicting a fragmented and abstracted Formula 2 racing scene, conveying the tension and controversy surrounding the recent incident involving Alpine driver Franco Colapinto.Alpine's strong defense of its driver highlights the need for greater accountability and civility in motorsports' digital discourse.Alpine Today

The Alpine Formula 2 team has issued a firm defense of driver Franco Colapinto, condemning the online abuse and criticism he has faced following a recent incident on the track. The team has expressed its full support for Colapinto and vowed to take action against those responsible for the harassment.

Why it matters

This case highlights the growing problem of toxic online behavior in motorsports, where drivers can face intense scrutiny and backlash from fans over perceived missteps. Alpine's strong stance underscores the need for greater accountability and civility in the sport's digital discourse.

The details

According to the team, Colapinto has been the target of significant online abuse and harassment since an incident during a recent Formula 2 race. While the specifics of the incident are not entirely clear, Alpine has firmly defended its driver, stating that the criticism and attacks he has faced are unwarranted and unacceptable.

  • The incident occurred during a Formula 2 race on April 1, 2026.

The players

Alpine

A French Formula 1 racing team and constructor that also fields cars in the Formula 2 championship.

Franco Colapinto

A 21-year-old Argentine racing driver who competes for the Alpine Formula 2 team.

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What they’re saying

“We will not tolerate the abusive and hateful behavior that Franco has faced online. As a team, we stand by him and will take all necessary actions to protect our drivers from this kind of harassment.”

— Laurent Rossi, CEO, Alpine

What’s next

Alpine has stated that it will work with relevant authorities and social media platforms to identify and take action against those responsible for the online abuse directed at Colapinto.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the need for motorsports organizations, teams, and fans to address the growing problem of online harassment and toxicity, which can have a significant impact on the mental health and well-being of drivers.