Franco Colapinto finished the United States Grand Prix with a bold statement rather than a headline result. The Argentine crossed the line in P17, but what everyone’s talking about is how he got there
Despite clear orders from BWT Alpine F1 Team to stay behind teammate Pierre Gasly, Colapinto trusted his instincts and went for the overtake anyway.
This was more than just a race, it was a message. In racing, sometimes the drive to push harder beats the voice on the radio telling you to hold position.
After the race, Franco didn’t shy away from explaining his move:
“I think I did the right thing. I was much faster, and he had older tires.”
“If I hadn’t passed him, Bortoleto would’ve overtaken both of us.”
“We were fighting for P17 and P18, so there’s no sense in arguing over that.”
Gasly, meanwhile, kept things calm:
“I did my job. We’ll review it inside the team.”
Whether it’s seen as defiance or determination, Colapinto’s overtake sent a message: he’s not just here to follow orders.
And as Alpine weighs its 2026 line-up, this moment might just define his future.