Franco Colapinto makes 'real fans' claim as Alpine struggles continue

Franco Colapinto believes his "real fans" are continuing to support him despite his poorer results in 2025 than his debut year.

Colapinto was drafted in by Williams ahead of the 2024 Italian GP to replace Logan Sargeant, and impressed with two points finishes in his first four races, including eighth in Azerbaijan.

This earned him a move to Alpine for 2025, where Colapinto replaced Jack Doohan after six races, but the Argentine is yet to score a point this season, as Alpine has slipped towards the rear of the field. 

RacingNews365 reported this week that Alpine is set to stick with Colapinto for 2026, when the team hopes its new customer Mercedes engine supply will help propel it back towards the front.

Addressing how Argentine fans have reacted to his season, Colapinto explained how he believed the stronger, headline results of 2024 attracted more attention, but that "real fans" understood the situation he is in.

"Last year, I was probably getting better results, and that probably kind of put Argentinians a little bit more into the racing," Colapinto told media, including RacingNews365.  

"This year we are struggling a bit more, but the real fans are still there, and that is the most important thing, of course.

"I know that there will be a lot [of fans] in Brazil, hopefully as many as last year, and I'll be happy to see them all. 

"I'm sure they do understand, they can see what the situation is at the moment, and to be honest, I'm very focused on my job.

"I'm not looking too much at the outside world, and generally, I'm happier in the team with what I am doing, and I think the fans are as well. 

"There is a lot of passion coming from Argentina, and a lot of that passion is pushing me forward as well."