Colapinto to abusive fans: ‘You’re not helping me or my future’

Franco Colapinto says fans that abuse other drivers or team members on social media are hurting his future hopes, following a number of incidents over the past two years. 

Alpine has had to issue statements on at least four occasions since Colapinto was promoted into a race seat with its Formula 1 team in May 2025, with this year seeing interventions needed following incidents with the Haas drivers in April and Lando Norris last month. While abusive comments have also been received by Colapinto and the vast majority of the Argentinian’s fan base have been supportive, he took to social media to issue a statement to his supporters. 

“Hello everyone, there’s something very important that I’ve needed to talk to you about for some time,” Colapinto said in a video posted in Spanish. “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.

“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. Instead of supporting me, we end up criticizing people and attacking other drivers, other colleagues, my teammates, 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.”

Colapinto did address the abuse that was circulating on social media following the Azerbaijan Grand Prix at the next race in Malaysia, when Norris called for a race ban after Colapinto triggered a multi-car crash on a race restart. At that point he stated drivers need to be mindful of how their comments can fuel online hate, as well as calling for support in helping to prevent it.

Alpine confirmed a one-year contract extension for Colapinto in late August, with the 23-year-old enjoying a strong season that has seen him score points in eight races, picking up 27 points to teammate Pierre Gasly’s 41.