Franco Colapinto Suffers Accident in Pirelli Tests
Alpine driver Franco Colapinto suffered an accident during Pirelli tire tests at the Hungaroring circuit on Wednesday. The incident occurred at turn 11 of the circuit.
After the accident, Colapinto was taken to the circuit’s medical center. Alpine confirmed in a statement that the Argentinian driver was “fine”.
“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 indicated in a statement.
Alpine
Colapinto, loaned to Alpine by Williams, replaced Jack Doohan earlier this year, but has struggled to achieve results alongside teammate Pierre Gasly and has failed to score points.Speculation suggests he could be replaced by Doohan, reserve driver Paul Aron, or even Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes’ reserve driver, before the end of the season.
Colapinto’s accident at the Hungaroring occurred after a race weekend at the same circuit, where he outperformed in qualifying and finished ahead of Gasly.
The 11th turn is a high-speed right-hand turn (142 mph) with not much escape beyond the exit 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, in which he scored five points.
The two-day tests at Hungaroring aim to evaluate the 2026 Pirelli tires, which are slightly narrower than the current ones and are part of a major regulation modification for next season.
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Alpine participated in the tests over the two days, with Aron at the wheel on Tuesday and Colapinto and Gasly sharing on Wednesday. The tire tests were carried out with this year’s car, while Alpine also had a 2023 car present for Colapinto and Gasly.
After McLaren and Racing Bulls participated in Tuesday’s tests, Ferrari was on track on Wednesday with a modified version of this year’s SF-25, designed to replicate the performance of a 2026 car in corners and on straights.
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 they are approved on December 15.
Mario Isola, Pirelli Motorsport’s head, stated that they obtained a lot of data from the session despite Colapinto’s accident.
“We’ve 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 not related to the tires,” he said.
“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.”
