'Not helping me or my future' - Colapinto asks fans to stop online abuse
Alpine driver Franco Colapinto has asked his fanbase to stop directing online abuse at other Formula 1 drivers and figures within the sport because it is "not helping" his career.
Key points
- Franco Colapinto asked his fans to stop online abuse, saying it is not helping his career.
- Alpine has issued several statements condemning online hate since Colapinto joined in 2025.
- Incidents include abuse toward Jack Doohan, FIA stewards, Pierre Gasly and Lando Norris.
Alpine driver Franco Colapinto has asked his fanbase to stop directing online abuse at other Formula 1 drivers and figures within the sport. In a video posted on social media, the 23-year-old Argentine said the abuse is not helping him or his future.
Colapinto became the first Argentine driver to compete in F1 for more than 20 years when Williams drafted him in midway through the 2024 season. He joined Alpine in 2025, and the team has since issued several statements condemning online hate and abuse.
What Colapinto said
Colapinto said he had needed to address the issue for some time and that it needed to change and improve. He thanked fans for their support but said that sometimes they go too far.
He said fans end up criticising and attacking other drivers, colleagues, team-mates, mechanics and engineers. He told them: "You're not helping me or my future."
I know you think you're defending me, but you're actually doing the opposite. You're not helping me or my future.
— Franco Colapinto
Incidents and recent form
There have been several notable incidents of online abuse apparently linked to Colapinto's fanbase. These include hostility toward Jack Doohan before Alpine replaced the Australian with Colapinto after six rounds in 2025, abuse of FIA stewards after a penalty at the Dutch Grand Prix, threats received by team-mate Pierre Gasly after the Spanish Grand Prix in September, and abuse of Lando Norris after his critical comments about Colapinto following a crash at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
In August, Alpine confirmed a one-year contract extension for Colapinto through 2027. He scored points in Italy and Spain in early September but has not scored in the three races since. F1 next races at the United States Grand Prix in Austin on October 23-25.
