AUGUST 7, 2025
Colapinto crashes Pirelli test car as pressure mounts
Franco Colapinto's difficult return to Formula 1 has taken another hit, after the Alpine driver crashed heavily during post-race tyre testing in Hungary.
© Williams
While rivals including George Russell and Max Verstappen begin their August break, 22-year-old Colapinto remained on duty - participating in a Pirelli test simulating 2026 technical regulations, using a specially modified Alpine.
But on Wednesday, the Argentine lost control at Turn 11 and crashed.
Franco was assessed on site at the medical centre and is OK,
a team spokesperson confirmed.
La Gazzetta dello Sport characterised the incident as Colapinto having destroyed
the Alpine.
Pirelli issued a statement confirming the crash was not related to the tyres.
La Gazzetta correspondent Alessandro Miglio was blunt in his assessment.
Colapinto's return to Formula 1 has been disastrous,
he said. "The Argentine has failed to score a single point and been involved in several accidents, which will impact Alpine's development due to the budget cap.
Not the best outcome for a team seeking redemption.
Colapinto joined Alpine earlier this season in a loan deal brokered by Flavio Briatore, replacing Jack Doohan after impressing in a mid-2024 debut at Williams. But amid rumours of a race-by-race arrangement, pressure continues to mount.
(GMM)