Alpine will review Franco Colapinto’s decision to ignore team instructions with a pass on team-mate Pierre Gasly late in the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix.
Both drivers found themselves battling near the rear of the field after another difficult weekend for the Enstone-based squad at the Circuit of the Americas.
Gasly had stopped early on Lap 27 to protect against an undercut, leaving him struggling for grip in the closing stages while also being told he had to save fuel.
Meanwhile, Colapinto, who had pitted five laps later than his more experienced stablemate, had the advantage of fresher tyres and closed in rapidly.
With Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto approaching from behind, Alpine instructed both drivers to hold position.
The Argentinian was unimpressed, replying over the radio: “Wait, what?! Hold positions?! But he’s slow.”
Moments later, Colapinto made his move into Turn 1. On the penultimate lap, he squeezed past Gasly and moved into 17th. Bortoleto went on to pass Gasly shortly after.
After the race, Colapinto defended his decision.
“I had Bortoleto really close behind. I was defending really hard and Pierre was very slow – he had older tyres or some kind of issue,” he told media including Motorsport Week.
“I overtook him. I was very close, and I think it was the best for the situation.”
Gasly admitted he hadn’t expected the move but wasn’t overly concerned, considering that the places he relinquished in the closing stages didn’t cost him points.
“I was a bit surprised, yeah, but I’m not going to put it there,” he said.
“I think ultimately, we were just too slow and on the Soft tyres, I spent my life fighting and ran out of life pretty early on.”
Alpine Managing Director Steve Nielsen expressed disappointment that Colapinto ignored the order. He explained that the team will handle the situation internally.
“On Pierre’s side, we covered an undercut threat to box onto softs, a little earlier than we wanted, and then had a slow pitstop, which we will review and rectify,” he said.
“Franco was able to extend his Medium run to have a tyre delta towards the end of the race where he caught up to Pierre.
“We gave the instruction for the drivers to maintain position as we were managing fuel and the added variable of the number of laps remaining with the leaders in close proximity.
“As a team, any instruction made by the pit wall is final and today we are disappointed that this didn’t happen, so it’s something we will review and deal with internally.”
Nielsen added that Alpine has “a lot to review across the board from this weekend” as the team continues to endure a challenging season, sitting last in the standings.
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