ENSTONE, England (AP) — Formula 1 driver Franco Colapinto has called on his fans to stop social media campaigns attacking other drivers and his Alpine team staff, saying they're holding back his career.
Since the Argentine driver's F1 debut in 2024, fans have sent negative and sometimes abusive comments on social media targeting drivers who clashed with him on the track. Among them were champion Lando Norris and FIA race stewards who penalized Colapinto.
Alpine also stepped in this year to condemn online abuse and deny claims it was trying to “sabotage” Colapinto to favor teammate Pierre Gasly.
“I know it makes you feel very proud when things go well for me, when I score points, for me and for the whole team, and I’ll always be very grateful for that," Colapinto said in a video on Instagram late Wednesday.
"But there are times when we go over the line, when instead of supporting me we end up criticizing, we end up attacking other drivers, other colleagues, my teammates, my mechanics, my engineers, people I work with day in and day out.
“I know you’re thinking that you’re defending me, but you’re actually doing the opposite. You don’t help me or my future, and I really want you to understand that this is what we have to change, all of us together.”
Colapinto became racing-mad Argentina’s first F1 driver in 23 years when he made his debut in 2024 with Williams.
He moved to Alpine the following year, initially as a reserve, then was promoted when the team fired Jack Doohan, who later complained he'd received death threats around that time.
Colapinto is having his most successful season this year and is 12th in the standings, as well as picking up a best career race finish of sixth. Alpine confirmed in August his contract was being extended for next season.
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