Alpine is nearing the point where Colapinto's seat becomes untenable

For the fourth time this year, Alpine had no choice but to respond with an extensive statement against online hate. Yet again, Colapinto’s supporters have gone completely over the line. Not only fans on social media, but also the Argentine mainstream media couldn’t resist, after Colapinto’s incredibly foolish crash, taking jabs at the likes of Lando Norris.

The world champion had said that someone who causes such an accident doesn’t belong in Formula 1 and deserves at least a race ban. The chauvinistic Argentine media responded largely with empathy for Colapinto ('Oh well, everyone makes a mistake sometimes'), even though he was the instigator of the chaos. But they then lashed out hard at the angry Norris, who in their view had done similar things in the past as their hero.

Formula 1 is a sport where every fan should feel at home. That’s precisely one of the reasons for its success in recent years, reaching entirely new audiences (women and younger fans, for example). But the way a group of Argentines is behaving is creating a toxic atmosphere, which is anything but good for the sport as a whole and Alpine in particular.

The French team should now seriously question whether another season with Franco Colapinto is the right choice. After over 18 months representing the team, he has done little to convince on track, almost always trailing teammate Pierre Gasly. That alone would justify giving someone else a chance in 2027, because Colapinto is not a potential Grand Prix winner - let alone a possible world champion.

Moreover, the Argentine’s following ensures that Alpine is constantly at the centre of controversy. To be clear: the French team itself is not to blame for that. By speaking out forcefully time and again against online hate, Alpine is fulfilling its social responsibility. Hats off for that.

But there are limits. At a certain point, Alpine’s self-interest must outweigh the interests of the average F1 driver Colapinto. The conclusion will then be that sponsors are being associated with a driver whose fans misbehave too often. Having your company name repeatedly appear in articles about online hate is not attractive from a PR standpoint. A potential sponsor might easily think twice before partnering with Alpine.

The last thing Alpine wants is to be known as the team everyone gives a wide berth in the paddock, because with Colapinto there is a driver who seemingly cannot keep his fans in check. That moment is getting closer and closer. At that point, continuing with Colapinto simply becomes indefensible.