Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto Speak Out After US GP Dispute

Pierre Gasly insists that his disagreement with Alpine teammate Franco Colapinto over team orders at the United States Grand Prix is behind them following intervention from the team.



The Frenchman was left frustrated at Circuit of the Americas when Colapinto ignored instructions to hold position, overtaking Gasly despite clear orders not to do so.



Both drivers finished outside the points for the fourth race in a row, with Colapinto defending his decision immediately after the race before being called in for discussions with Alpine management ahead of the Mexico City Grand Prix.



Gasly: “What’s had to be said has been said”



Speaking to media ahead of the race weekend in Mexico, Gasly confirmed that the situation had been handled internally and that the focus was now on team unity.



“We talked about it. Just no point to talk about it here. What’s had to be said has been said and it’s all fine,” Gasly said.



“Ultimately as a team we are not in an enjoyable situation. So I think we’re just trying to stick together as a team, be united and that’s what we just want to achieve.”



The Frenchman stressed that while Colapinto’s actions were disappointing, the young Argentine still has time to learn from the experience.



“I think overall, as an individual, he’s done well. And that’s it, I think,” Gasly continued.



“Obviously, what he’s done last week or last Sunday doesn’t reflect what he’s achieved as a driver. Was it his finest decision? No. Will he learn from it? Yes.”



“But the nice thing overall is he’s doing a good job for the team. And I think it’s important just to pull forward in the same direction as a team.”



Colapinto Admits Learning Moment After Defying Orders



Colapinto, who is fighting to retain his seat with Alpine for 2026 , acknowledged that the situation was now “all good and clear” with Gasly after discussions with team management.



However, he explained that his defiance came amid frustrations with the A525 car’s lack of performance and his own struggles adapting to the team’s car concept.



“I think I’m struggling generally with the car and on my side it’s tricky to find the right balance at the moment,” Colapinto said.



“I’m focusing on that and of course we are racing at the same time. The decisions are made by milliseconds and are tricky to make.”



“The reality is that we are very close to each other all the time. These last six races, personally, I’ve been fighting pace and I’ve been quite strong but it’s also true that we cannot show any real personal pace sometimes because at the end of the day we are far and we are a bit too far.”



Colapinto also admitted that uncertainty about his long-term future may have influenced his split-second decision to overtake.



“I don’t know what my decision would have been or how I would have reacted if I had already had a contract for three or four years or at least the next one,” he reflected.



“[But] I fully agree. I fully agree that instructions should always be obeyed. The situations are tricky and I think as a driver it was natural for me at the moment to compete.”



Alpine will be hoping that the internal matter now stays in the past as they seek to end a run of disappointing results in Mexico City this weekend.
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