Alpine Disappointment: Analyzing the Controversial 17th Place Finish

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Alpine Disappointment: Analyzing the Controversial 17th Place Finish

Franco Colapinto’s actions during the United States Grand Prix raised eyebrows as he disobeyed team orders from Alpine. The young driver, after using a five-lap tire advantage, chose to overtake his teammate, Pierre Gasly, on the 54th lap, ultimately finishing in 17th place.

17th Place Controversy: Colapinto’s Overtake Decision

Colapinto’s decision to pass Gasly came late in the race. Despite being instructed to hold his position, he felt he had a significant pace advantage. He expressed frustration, stating, “We had quite a bit more pace than Pierre in the last stint,” and noted the pressure from Sauber driver Gabriel Bortoleto behind them.

Team Dynamics and Strategy

The situation became intriguing as both Alpines were battling to avoid being the last finishers in the race. Alpine management appeared perplexed by the situation, especially given that both cars were running in 17th and 18th place. The decision to allow Colapinto to race might have been crucial, as the team aimed to fend off Bortoleto and potentially avoid being lapped by race leader Max Verstappen.

  • Colapinto finished 17th, while Gasly followed in 18th.
  • Verstappen was closing in to lap the backmarkers.
  • Colapinto used a five-lap tire offset against Gasly.

Alpine’s management, particularly managing director Steve Nielsen, expressed disappointment at Colapinto’s disregard for team instructions. He noted, “Any instruction made by the pit wall is final, and today we are disappointed that this didn’t happen.” The internal review process has been initiated to address the matter.

Future Aspirations for Colapinto

As Colapinto seeks to secure his position with Alpine through 2026, the pressure is mounting. His performance has been inconsistent, but he remains motivated. “We know that the car is tough to drive. It’s very difficult at the moment,” he stated.

Gasly, on the other hand, refrained from commenting extensively on the incident. He expressed his dissatisfaction with the team’s overall performance, highlighting the need for improvement moving forward. “I’m disappointed by the whole performance,” Gasly admitted, reflecting the challenges the team has faced this season.