Franco Colapinto believes the threat of Gabriel Bortoleto justified his decision to ignore a team order from Alpine and overtake Pierre Gasly in Austin.
In the closing stages of the US Grand Prix, Colapinto was told to hold station behind team-mate Gasly, but the Argentine scythed past into Turn 1, despite both cars in fuel-saving mode with no full safety cars deployed during the 56 laps.
Colapinto finished ahead of Bortoleto as Gasly faded away to 19th, with the trio lapped by leader Max Verstappen just as the drama was unfolding.
Post-race, Alpine boss Steve Nielsen issued a statement, saying: "Any instruction made by the pit wall is final, and today we are disappointed that this didn't happen, so it's something we will review and deal with internally."
Reflecting, Colapinto felt the "best situation" was for him to run ahead of Gasly, given he felt he was faster.
"It was a tough day and weekend for us in general; we struggled, but we need to keep working as a team," Colapinto explained to media, including RacingNews365.
"I had quite a bit more pace than Pierre in the final stint, and [Gabriel Bortoleto] was behind, attacking very hard and was much quicker than us.
"I think it was the best situation for me to be in front and try not to hold both cars up.
"I am motivated. We know that the car is tough to drive, and it is very difficult at the moment. We've swapped positions a lot of times this year, and they've let us race at other tracks.
"As a team, we are really trying hard to be strong for next year, and analysing every situation, trying to get better - and these moments are super important, even though it is not for points - that we are trying to make the best result possible every time."
As for Gasly, he preferred to keep his cards close to his chest, simply saying the team would "review" the situation.
"We'll review inside the team, the first stint was good, we boxed and I'm not too sure why and came out right on the gearbox of Esteban [Ocon]," the Frenchman said.
"Ultimately, we were just too slow, and the rest of it is honestly stuff that we will review inside the team, but we're just too slow.
"We need to take it inside the office, and there is no point in releasing the frustration here, but I'm not happy about this race.
"Overall, I'm just disappointed with the performance; we have to do better."
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