Franco Colapinto Escapes Injury After High-Speed Crash During Pirelli Tyre Test at Hungaroring
Alpine's Franco Colapinto Faces Setback at Hungaroring Pirelli Tyre Test
Alpine F1 Team driver Franco Colapinto suffered a challenging day at the Hungaroring amidst a high-stakes Pirelli tyre test. The young Argentine remains under scrutiny as his 2025 season continues to unfold.
Colapinto Crashes During Pirelli Tyre Test
Alpine driver Franco Colapinto, already under pressure following a string of underwhelming Formula 1 performances, endured a dramatic moment during Wednesday's Pirelli tyre testing at the Hungaroring. The incident occurred at Turn 11, a high-speed corner known for its lack of run-off area.
While the Argentine driver walked away unharmed, he was briefly assessed at the Hungaroring’s medical center as a precautionary measure.
"During day two of Pirelli tyre testing at the Hungaroring this morning, Franco Colapinto had an incident at Turn 11," Alpine F1 Team said in a statement. "Franco was assessed on site at the medical centre and is OK."
The crash, occurring at approximately 142 mph, adds to the growing list of concerns for the Alpine team this season.
Doubts Linger Over Colapinto's Role at Alpine
Is Franco Colapinto's F1 future in jeopardy? This question has gained traction in the Formula 1 paddock after recent struggles to deliver strong results.
Franco Colapinto joined Alpine in 2025 on loan from Williams to replace Jack Doohan, yet he remains scoreless this season. His zero-point tally has only deepened concerns about his performance compared to teammate Pierre Gasly. Sources within F1 have suggested that Jack Doohan, Paul Aron, or even Mercedes reserve Valtteri Bottas could step into the Alpine seat if Colapinto fails to turn things around soon.
A Rays of Hope for Alpine Fans
Despite the growing pressure, Colapinto showed signs of promise during the previous weekend at the Hungarian Grand Prix, where he outqualified and outperformed his teammate Pierre Gasly. The performance offered a glimmer of hope, hinting at his potential to bounce back and prove his critics wrong.
Pirelli 2026 Tyre Test: Alpine and Other Teams Push for the Future
The two-day tyre test at the Hungaroring is part of Pirelli’s preparation for the 2026 Formula 1 regulations, which will introduce narrower tyres and other substantial changes. These sessions are critical for evaluating new tyre compounds and ensuring they meet the requirements for the 2026 season.
Teams and Tyre Testing Highlights
Alpine split Wednesday's session between Colapinto and Gasly, with reserve driver Paul Aron completing Tuesday’s session.
Ferrari took part with their specially modified SF-25, designed to replicate 2026 car performance.
Team efforts, including McLaren and Racing Bulls, focused on data collection to finalize the tyre constructions before the homologation deadline of September 1.
Looking ahead, teams will continue tyre testing on six additional days throughout the year to refine the compounds further. Pirelli has set December 15 as the final deadline for tyre compound homologation.
Franco Colapinto's Formula 1 Career: A Turning Point?
Franco Colapinto’s crash at the Hungaroring encapsulates the challenges facing both himself and Alpine in 2025. With his future seemingly hanging by a thread, Colapinto must make a decisive statement in the coming Grand Prix events.
As Alpine pushes forward towards the development of their 2026 car, the focus remains on data collection during Pirelli's tyre tests—and on whether Colapinto can continue to grow in what is quickly becoming a pivotal season for the Argentine driver.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What happened to Franco Colapinto during the Pirelli tyre test?
Franco Colapinto crashed at Turn 11 during the Pirelli tyre test at the Hungaroring. Although the crash occurred at a high-speed corner, Colapinto was assessed at the medical center and confirmed unhurt.
2. Why is Franco Colapinto under pressure at Alpine?
Colapinto has struggled to deliver results during the 2025 F1 season, failing to score any points so far. Speculation regarding his replacement has been fueled by these ongoing challenges.
3. What are Pirelli’s 2026 tyre tests?
The tests are part of preparations for the 2026 Formula 1 season, set to feature narrower tyres under new regulations. Teams, including Alpine, Ferrari, and McLaren, are participating to help finalize the tyre construction.
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