Franco Colapinto Details 'Worst Day of My Life' After Milan Car Theft

Alpine Formula 1 driver Franco Colapinto has spoken for the first time about having his car broken into in Milan during the summer break, an incident that left him without his passport, wallet, or clothes. The Argentine explained that he was enjoying dinner at a favorite Italian restaurant when thieves struck, setting off a frantic, cross-border scramble to recover his essential documents.

Why it matters:

For a driver competing in a sport built around relentless international travel, losing a passport and wallet is far more than a minor inconvenience. The theft briefly derailed Colapinto's summer break and served as a reminder that even elite athletes face everyday security risks while unwinding in major European cities.

The details:

• Colapinto's car was broken into while he dined at a Milanese restaurant he favors for its carbonara. Thieves took his passport, wallet, all his clothing, and his beloved mate set.
• After filing a police report in Milan, he returned to his Monaco base. He soon received a call from Italian authorities on a +39 number informing him that his wallet and documents had been recovered.
• The 23-year-old immediately drove back to Milan, covering approximately 1,200 kilometers in a single day to retrieve his belongings and racking up what he described as a hefty fuel bill.
• While his passport and wallet were returned, the thieves kept his mate and thermos. Colapinto laughed that losing the mate — which he said tasted amazing — was the real tragedy, calling the entire episode the worst day of his life.

What's next:

With his documents secured and the ordeal behind him, Colapinto has refocused on the remainder of the F1 season. He currently sits 12th in the drivers' championship with 19 points, and Alpine will need him to maintain steady form through the upcoming rounds.