Colapinto crashes in Pirelli test in Hungary: End of cycle at Alpine?

Colapinto Suffers Accident in Pirelli Tire Test at Hungaroring

Alpine driver Franco Colapinto suffered an accident during a Pirelli tire test at the Hungaroring circuit on Wednesday. After the incident, Colapinto was taken to the circuit’s medical center. Alpine confirmed that the Argentinian driver was “fine” after the event.

During the second day of Pirelli tire testing at Hungaroring this morning, Franco Colapinto had an incident at Turn 11. Franco was evaluated at the medical center and is fine.

Alpine Statement

Colapinto, loaned to Alpine by Williams, replaced Jack Doohan earlier this year, but has struggled to achieve consistent results alongside teammate Pierre Gasly, failing to score points.

The 11th turn is a right-hand turn taken at high speed, with not much run-off beyond the curb. Alpine did not provide 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 managed to score 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 broader regulatory overhaul for next season. Alpine was on track for both days, with Aron at the wheel on Tuesday for the Pirelli test, while Colapinto and Gasly shared Wednesday. The tire test is being carried out with this year’s car, although Alpine also had a 2023 car present at the test for Colapinto and Gasly. The aim of the test is to conduct a final evaluation of 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 being approved on December 15. Pirelli Motorsport’s boss, Mario Isola, stated that they obtained a lot of data from the session despite Colapinto’s accident.

We have collected a lot of data, although it was a shame that we lost some of our potential mileage today when Colapinto went off track, although this was in no way related to the tires. Regarding construction, we have verified our final solutions with respect to homologation, in view of the entry into force of the regulations on September 1. 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 15.

Mario Isola, head of Pirelli Motorsport