Gasly Defends Colapinto After Alpine Team Orders Dispute

Pierre Gasly has publicly defended Franco Colapinto following his breach of team orders at the United States Grand Prix, asserting that the incident “doesn't reflect him as a driver.” This comes after Colapinto ignored instructions to hold position behind Gasly, making an overtake despite both Alpine cars managing fuel outside the points.

Why it matters:

Team orders are a fundamental aspect of Formula 1 strategy, especially for midfield teams vying for every advantage. A public disagreement or defiance can signal internal friction and impact team morale and future strategic decisions, particularly when one driver is still establishing themselves in the sport. Gasly's defense aims to mitigate potential damage to Colapinto's reputation and maintain team unity during a challenging period for Alpine.

The Details:

• The Incident: During the final laps of the Austin GP, Franco Colapinto was instructed to maintain position behind Pierre Gasly. Both drivers were attempting to manage fuel while running out of the points. Colapinto, however, ignored this directive and overtook Gasly into Turn 1.
• Team Reaction: Alpine team principal Steve Nielsen expressed disappointment over Colapinto's decision to breach team orders.
• Post-Race Discussions: Talks between the drivers and the team were scheduled before the Mexican GP to address the situation.
• Gasly's Stance: While remaining tight-lipped about the specifics of the conversation, Gasly offered a defense of Colapinto, who has yet to score points in 2025. He stated, “What's had to be said, has been said, and so it is all fine.”
• Focus on Team Unity: Gasly emphasized the importance of the team sticking together and being united.
• Broader Team Issues: Gasly redirected focus to other performance issues, specifically highlighting a three-second pit-stop that cost the team valuable race time, stating, “I am more interested in making sure that we don't have three second pit-stops and lose 10 seconds of race time.”
  • He emphasized that such operational errors are more critical for the team's overall performance.
• Colapinto's Learning Opportunity: Gasly acknowledged that while the decision might not have been Colapinto's “finest,” he believes Colapinto will learn from it. He reiterated that Colapinto is doing a “good job for the team” overall.

The Big Picture:

Alpine has had a challenging season, struggling for consistent points finishes. Incidents like this, while not directly costing points, can highlight internal pressures. Gasly's quick defense of Colapinto, while also pointing to other operational issues, suggests a desire to de-escalate the situation and re-focus the team on collective performance improvement rather than internal disciplinary actions. This approach is crucial for maintaining a cohesive working environment, especially for a team looking to climb back up the constructor standings.

What's Next:

While the immediate fallout from the team order breach appears to have been managed internally, the incident serves as a reminder of the fine line between individual ambition and team strategy. Alpine will need to ensure clear communication and consistent enforcement of team protocols going forward to avoid similar situations. The focus will now shift to improving overall performance, particularly addressing pit-stop inefficiencies, as the team aims to pull in the same direction for the remainder of the season.