Franco Colapinto has demanded that his supporters stop "attacking" his rivals, his team-mate and his own Alpine crew online, issuing a lengthy statement on Instagram urging fans to turn their energy into positivity rather than hostility.
The Argentine's message follows months of escalating abuse directed at those around him, much of it carried out in his name by fans convinced they were defending him.
The trouble intensified at the Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid, where Alpine opted against swapping Pierre Gasly and Colapinto despite the Argentine appearing to have the faster car and running under pressure from Oscar Piastri behind.
The decision triggered a torrent of online hostility towards Gasly, which soon extended to threats against his family. Alpine executive advisor Flavio Briatore reportedly warned Colapinto that his Argentine media commitments could be withdrawn unless the abuse stopped.
Gasly later spoke out publicly against the harassment, describing it as having spread disturbingly beyond himself and into the lives of those close to him.
Weeks later, in Azerbaijan, a first-corner collision under a safety-car restart eliminated Lando Norris, Colapinto and Gasly from the race. Norris's immediate reaction, calling for Colapinto to be hit with a ban, unleashed a fresh wave of abuse directed at the Briton.
Since Colapinto joined F1 there have been other incidents online, with Alpine having issued several statements of its own calling for an end to the online attacks in 2026. Now, ahead of the final six races, Colapinto has released a statement of his own.
Read the full statement below...
Revealed: Franco Colapinto's statement in full
Colapinto's statement read: "First, I’ve been watching you guys from the sidelines, but it’s necessary that we change things and improve. I’m always grateful, and I really feel lucky to have had you from the very beginning: the support you give me, the advice you offer, and how you push me and the team to do our best.
"You help us achieve great results in our races and during our daily training sessions. But there’s no improvement, and honestly, I’ve been very frustrated when things don’t go well for the whole team or for me.
"And similarly, instead of supporting me, we end up criticising and attacking other drivers, my team-mates, my mechanics, and my engineers. So, with [the fans], I’m left wondering if they’re defending me or actually doing the opposite.
"I really want to focus on what we need to change. Together, we have to work to improve what we’ve done so far and help me achieve better performance, to become the best version of myself, and to realise my dream, my results, my points, which will help me in 2027.
"Together, we’ll keep moving forward because it hasn't been going well.
"It’s time to take a break from the distractions; what’s really important is focusing on my dream, my Formula 1 career, and working with the team to achieve the results we want and the goals we need.
"It’s time to take a break from social media and the constant criticism. What’s really important is focusing on my dream, my racing career, and working with the team to achieve the results we want and the goals we need.
"So, rest assured that I’m not going to let you down. I’ll keep serving us in the races and keep pushing forward. I want the team to support me, and I want to support the team. Together, we’re going to achieve great results. Yes, we’re going all out; we’re going to keep striving hard.
"I’m going to bring home good results with plenty of points. Let’s go all out as a great team, supporting each other and moving forward through the good times and the bad, and this is what I’ll find out very, very soon in the upcoming races. I
"I’m incredibly grateful from the bottom of my heart for your understanding. Thank you for coming and for being there for me," ended Colapinto.
Also interesting:
Join RacingNews365's Ian Parkes, Sam Coop and Nick Golding as they look back on last weekend's Singapore Grand Prix! Max Verstappen's Marina Bay masterclass is a lead talking point, as is F1's deadline approaching to make a call on how the 2026 season will end.
Rather watch this podcast? Then Click here!
Most read
In this article
Never miss a thing from the Formula 1 season! Add the 2026 F1 schedule to your calendar at the touch of a button. Subscribe below and put the dates and times of every race directly on your PC or smartphone, so you don't miss a second from the new season.
Download the F1 calendar Download the F1 calendar
A variant with just the race and qualifying is also available.
Click here to download it..
Join the conversation!