Franco Colapinto ignored an instruction to stay behind teammate Pierre Gasly and overtook him at the start of lap 54 of 56 at the US Grand Prix. At first glance, it seems like a classic discussion about team orders. But the incident in Austin exposes something deeper: a team struggling with unclear strategy, communication and priorities in a stressful race situation.
The facts in brief
Colapinto used tyre tactics that left him about five laps apart from Gasly, who had started on softs. As a result, he clearly had more pace in the closing stages and was able to catch Gasly. During the last 20 minutes, Colapinto received several lift-and-coast messages. Alpine wanted on the one hand to save fuel and tyres and on the other hand to be sure that both cars could finish the full race distance, as there was uncertainty whether they would be lapped by Max Verstappen.
As Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber) sat close and put pressure on, Colapinto decided that inaction was more dangerous than obeying instructions. He passed Gasly, keeping Bortoleto at bay. Alpine management, however, was not happy. Team director Steve Nielsen said any instruction from the pit wall was final and that Colapinto's behaviour would be evaluated internally. Gasly himself refused to vent publicly and mainly expressed his frustration at the team's slow performance and starting on softs.
Why this is more than just a team order discussion
On paper, it was about the 17th and 18th places - places that normally have no earth-shattering value. But context changes everything. The Alpines were not just fighting each other; they were trying to avoid finishing last and maybe even getting lapped. In addition, Colapinto was trying to prove himself for a possible permanent seat for 2026 after he replaced Jack Doohan. So his choice was both strategically and personally driven.
The problem is not just in Colapinto's individual actions. It shows a fundamental lack of clarity in Alpine's strategy and communication under pressure. When the pit wall is unsure whether the cars should save or try to defend position full out, it creates room for drivers to make their own trade-offs. That inevitably leads to conflict when those considerations go against team orders.
Who is right?
Colapinto can be seen as a driver who took responsibility. Bortoleto was close behind and threatened to pass both Alpine cars. Holding still could have led to the loss of two positions. From that perspective, it was rational to try to get to the front. At the same time, ignoring a direct instruction undermines the hierarchy that teams need to make quick, coherent decisions in chaotic situations.
My verdict: Colapinto's act was understandable and probably racially the right choice at the time. But it is also a symptom. Alpine needs to formulate clearer protocols for late-race scenarios and ensure that communication and uncertainty management (e.g. about lapping by the leader) are unambiguous. If this is not done, incidents like in Austin will keep recurring - with the stakes being not only positions but also internal calm and the trust of teammates.
The key question for Alpine is now clear: do they maintain absolute discipline and risk aversion, or do they give talents like Colapinto room to act? How they choose to shape that balance in 2026 could determine the atmosphere and performance within the team.
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