Franco Colapinto quits social media and tells his own fans to stop attacking his rivals
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Franco Colapinto has told his own supporters to stop going after rival drivers, his teammate and Alpine staff online. In a video message, the Argentine said their behaviour is hurting his Formula 1 career, and he confirmed he has stepped back from social media.
This is the first time the Alpine driver has spoken to his fanbase directly about a problem that has followed him through the 2026 season.
The 23-year-old Argentine published a video on Instagram thanking fans for their continued support while addressing the hostility directed at his colleagues, mechanics and engineers.
The FIA and Alpine issued statements in the last two months condemning the abuse which was posted following the Dutch, Spanish and Azerbaijan grands prix.
Neither specifically mentioned Colapinto's supporters but both identified the victims of the abuse, including his team mate Pierre Gasly and FIA officials.
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Colapinto: 'They are doing the opposite'
Colapinto gave the message in Spanish. In the translation published, he began by thanking his fans before turning to the attacks.
I know it makes you feel very proud when I do well, when I get points, me and the whole team, and I will always be very grateful for that. But there are times when we end up attacking other pilots, other colleagues, my team mates, my mechanics, my engineers, people I work with day by day.- Franco Colapinto, translated from Spanish
The Alpine driver continued: "I know they are thinking that they are defending me, but they are doing the opposite. They don't help me. And I really want you to understand that this is what we have to change, all together.
"We have to try to improve as a society, and to help me have a better performance, to help get my dream and my results, that is, to score points, I need you to help stop this, all of us together.
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"I probably should have spoken to all of you sooner, but this is something that needs to be addressed, something we need to change and improve."
Social media break to focus on racing
Colapinto also explained why he has gone quiet online. He said: "Obviously, some time ago, I made the decision to step away from social media and take a break from it. I want to focus on what really matters to me: my dream, my racing career, and working with the team to achieve the results we want and the goals we need to reach."
He has already spoken about how the online hate has to stop.
Gasly and Norris among those targeted
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Gasly was targeted by fans after preventing Colapinto from overtaking him in the Madrid Grand Prix, with the Frenchman revealing his family members and girlfriend had also been subjected to abuse. After that incident, Alpine executive advisor Flavio Briatore threatened a complete media blackout of Colapinto if the abuse did not cease.
Another wave followed in Baku, where Colapinto caused a pile-up at a safety car restart that put Gasly and Lando Norris out of the race. The reaction online was mainly aimed at the Briton, but Gasly and others weren't spared.
Colapinto's earlier response was more muted. After Madrid, he labelled the behaviour as "not nice to see" while insisting it was 'not just his fans'. His latest message goes much further.
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