Why it matters
Under-pressure Alpine driver Franco Colapinto crashed during a Pirelli tyre test at the Hungaroring, raising further questions about his future with the team amidst ongoing seat speculation.
The incident
Colapinto, on loan to Alpine from Williams, suffered an incident at Turn 11 of the Hungaroring on Wednesday morning. Alpine confirmed he was assessed at the circuit medical centre and is "OK." Turn 11 is a high-speed right-hander, and Alpine did not provide details on the accident's cause.
The big picture
Colapinto replaced Jack Doohan earlier this year but has struggled to score points alongside teammate Pierre Gasly. Speculation has been rampant that he could be replaced by Doohan, reserve driver Paul Aron, or even Mercedes reserve driver Valtteri Bottas before the season's end. This crash occurred shortly after a Hungarian Grand Prix weekend where Colapinto outqualified and finished ahead of Gasly, adding another layer to his pressured situation.
Pirelli's 2026 tyre test
The two-day test at the Hungaroring is crucial for evaluating Pirelli's 2026 tyres, which will be slightly narrower as part of significant regulation changes for the upcoming season. The test aims for a final evaluation of the 2026 tyre construction, which must be homologated by September 1. Alpine was on track for both days, with Aron testing on Tuesday and Colapinto sharing duties with Gasly on Wednesday. Ferrari also participated on Wednesday with a modified SF-25 designed to simulate 2026 car performance.
What's next
Work on compounds for the 2026 tyres will continue over six more test days later this year, with a final sign-off deadline of December 15. Colapinto's immediate future with Alpine remains uncertain following this incident.
