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Franco Colapinto opened up about Gabriel Bortoleto's crash at the recently concluded Brazil GP. Speaking about the incident, the Argentine driver pointed towards Lance Stroll for taking out the Stake driver in Sao Paulo.
The 2025 Brazil GP saw Bortoleto having one of his worst races. From crashing out in the sprint, not being able to participate in the qualification, to crashing out in the race again, the home hero saw it all.
As days passed, Franco Colapinto brought the incident into the limelight and stated that it was Stroll, who "always" takes other drivers out, was responsible for the crash. Speaking to the media, here's what the Alpine driver said:
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"Stroll is just always taking people out, just not looking in the mirrors, leaving no track, and he put Gabi in the wall. I overtook two cars, it was Lewis [Hamilton] and Colapinto in the outside of six," Bortoleto recalled. "It was a nice move. And then Lance, I was just side by side with him out of nine. There's no pointing fingers here. I think, you know, just lap one and I was in the outside. He opened a little bit more than what there was of space there."
"He clipped my front tyre and I ended up in the wall. I think it's a racing incident. Obviously, if he had given a bit more space, I would have done the corner, and probably overtaken him because he had worse tyres than I had because I was on softs. But again, it's a racing incident. He didn't do it on purpose, I'm sure. Every time I fight with him, he's fair with me. So it's just racing," Colapinto further added.
In Lap 1 of the race, Gabriel Bortoleto was struggling to find grip and a place inside the track as he tried to go around the outside. However, he found a block coming from Stroll.
As a result, Bortoleto's front got a knock from Stroll's left rear tire, resulting in the former losing control and ending up in the barrier. However, as Colapinto added, it was a racing incident.
Franco Colapinto let his feelings known after securing 2026 seat
Following the conclusion of the Brazil GP, Alpine announced that they had decided to retain Franco Colapinto and Pierre Gasly for the 2026 season, the same pair from the ongoing year. Speaking about his future at the French team, here's what he said:
"I am very grateful to Flavio and the entire team for their belief in me to help drive the team forwards in the future. It has been a long and tough road, and I am very proud for the opportunity to drive with this team again in 2026, alongside Pierre who has been a great team-mate and undoubtedly be someone I can continue to learn from.”
After 21 races and five sprints, Franco Colapinto has yet to score a point this season, whereas his teammate, Pierre Gasly, is in P18 with 22 points. Alpine are in P10 in the Constructors' Championship with 22 points.
