Colapinto breaks silence on Jeremy Clarkson's controversial F1 joke
Photo: Race Pictures
Tobia is a Formula 1 journalist at GPblog with experience at international circuits. Since 2022, he has covered Grands Prix across Europe, delivering reliable coverage and insights from the paddock.
Franco Colapinto has responded to controversial comments made by Jeremy Clarkson about his nationality during the United States Grand Prix weekend. The former Top Gear presenter faced criticism over his remarks, with the Alpine driver's manager speaking out and the French team distancing itself from the controversy.
Clarkson attended the race in Austin as a guest of Alpine and made the comments during an interview with Sky Sports F1. Discussing a grid penalty handed to Colapinto for exceeding his permitted power unit component allocation, the British television presenter joked about the Argentine driver's nationality.
"Franco’s got a grid penalty for being Argentine, probably. Well, I’d give him one for that," Clarkson said. "That’s just because of what happened when we went there."
Clarkson was referring to an incident during the filming of a Top Gear special in Patagonia in 2014. The number plate on his car was interpreted as a reference to the Falklands War, sparking protests that forced the production crew to leave Argentina.
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Clarkson faces criticism as Alpine distances itself
Colapinto's manager, Jamie Campbell-Walter, criticised the remarks on social media, describing them as "completely unacceptable".
Alpine also responded to the controversy, stressing that Clarkson's comments did not reflect the team's values despite his presence as a guest during the race weekend.
"We’re aware of the comments made in a recent TV interview from a guest of the team in Austin. We would like to reiterate that these are personal views and do not align with the team’s values of promoting kindness and respect. Franco is our driver and has our full support."
Photo: Race Pictures
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Colapinto responds to Clarkson's remarks
Colapinto subsequently addressed the controversy after the United States Grand Prix, making clear that he did not associate Clarkson's comments with Alpine.
"Of course it’s nothing to do with the team. (Clarkson) just did an interview on his own, it’s nothing related to the team," the Argentine explained.
"I think he’s always been kind of jokey. I don’t really know him, but they told me. I didn’t see too much of what he said, but Jamie put something on social media, We just try to focus on ourselves. I try to improve the situation, of course, but it kind of needs help from a lot of people, not just from me."
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