Colapinto urges fans to stop online attacks

Colapinto has urged his supporters to stop directing online abuse at other drivers and people in the sport. The Alpine driver says such attacks do nothing for his career or his future. In a video posted on social media, he acknowledged that he should have raised the issue sooner and said he wanted to see things change.

Colapinto also thanked those who have backed him from the start. He credited their support with helping him and his team make progress and aim higher. He knows, he said, that fans feel proud when he scores points. But he drew a line: “Sometimes, we go too far.” He said that, rather than simply supporting him, some fans criticise and attack his colleagues, team-mates, mechanics and engineers. “You think you’re defending me, but you’re doing the opposite. You’re not helping me or my future,” he told them.

The appeal comes after several episodes of online hate led Alpine to issue condemnations. At the start of the 2025 season, Jack Doohan faced major hostility before Alpine replaced him with Colapinto after six rounds. In 2026, FIA stewards were targeted after Colapinto received a penalty at the Dutch Grand Prix; Pierre Gasly later spoke out about threats he received after the Spanish Grand Prix in September.

Colapinto had spoken against online abuse before, previously describing it as a societal problem rather than something specific to his fanbase. After being brought in by Williams midway through the 2024 season, he became the first Argentine to compete in F1 for more than 20 years and received strong support in his home country. The next announced stop for the sport is another triple-header in the Americas, beginning with the United States Grand Prix in Austin from October 23 to 25.