Alpine driver Franco Colapinto suffered an accident during a Pirelli tire test at the Hungaroring on Wednesday.
The incident occurred at Turn 11 of the circuit. Colapinto was attended to at the circuit’s medical center and, according to a statement from Alpine, is doing well.
Colapinto, who replaced Jack Doohan earlier this year, has struggled to achieve good results alongside his teammate Pierre Gasly, failing to score points.Franco Colapinto ha tenido dificultades en Alpine.Speculation about his possible replacement has been constant, with names like Doohan, reserve driver Paul Aron, and even Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas being mentioned.
Colapinto’s accident at the Hungaroring occurred after a race weekend at the same circuit, where he outperformed Gasly in qualifying and finished ahead of him.
The 11th turn is a high-speed right-hand turn, with not much run-off area beyond the curb.
Alpine did not offer details on how the accident occurred.
Colapinto was selected by Alpine after his nine races with Williams in the second half of the 2024 season, where he scored five points.
The two-day test at the Hungaroring is taking place to evaluate the 2026 Pirelli tires, which are slightly narrower than the current ones and are part of a major overhaul of the regulations for next season.
Alpine was on track for both days, with Aron at the wheel on Tuesday for the Pirelli test, and Colapinto and Gasly sharing Wednesday. Tire tests are being completed with this year’s car, while Alpine also had a 2023 car present at the test for Colapinto and Gasly.
Following the participation of McLaren and Racing Bulls in Tuesday’s tests, Ferrari was on track on Wednesday with a modified version of its SF-25 from this year, designed to replicate the performance of a 2026 car in corners and on straights.
The objective of the test is to conduct a final evaluation on the construction of the tires for 2026, which must be approved and homologated before September 1st.
Work on the compounds for next season will continue for six more days of testing at the end of the year before they are approved on December 15.
We have collected a lot of data, although it was a shame that we lost some potential mileage today when Colapinto went off track, although this was in no way related to the tires.”, said Mario Isola, Pirelli’s Motorsport boss.
Mario Isola, Pirelli’s Motorsport boss
Regarding construction, we have verified our final solutions with respect to homologation, in view of the entry into force of the regulations on September 1st. On the contrary, we now have three more test sessions, in Monza, Mugello and Mexico City, to conclude the development of the compounds, whose homologation is scheduled for December 15th.
