Colapinto Crashes in Pirelli Test in Hungary: Risk to his future?

Franco Colapinto Suffers Accident in Pirelli Tests at Hungaroring

Alpine driver Franco Colapinto suffered an accident during a Pirelli tire test at the Hungaroring circuit on Wednesday. The incident occurred at Turn 11, a right-hand corner taken at high speed. After the accident, Colapinto was taken to the circuit’s medical center. Alpine confirmed in a statement that the Argentinian driver was “fine”. Colapinto, who replaced Jack Doohan earlier this year, has struggled to achieve good results alongside his teammate Pierre Gasly and has yet to score points.

Speculation about his possible replacement has been constant, with names like Doohan, reserve driver Paul Aron, and even Mercedes reserve driver Valtteri Bottas being mentioned. Colapinto’s accident at the Hungaroring occurred after a race weekend at the same circuit in which he outperformed in qualifying and finished ahead of Gasly. The two-day test at Hungaroring is taking place to evaluate the 2026 Pirelli tires, which are slightly narrower than the current ones and are part of a major revision 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 scheduled to share Wednesday. The tire test was being completed with this year’s car, while Alpine also had a 2023 car present at the test 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 test aims 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 15th.

“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,” said Mario Isola, Pirelli Motorsport boss.
Mario Isola, Pirelli Motorsport boss

Isola added that the final solutions have been verified in terms of homologation, in view of the regulations that will come into force on September 1st. In addition, three more test sessions will be held: in Monza, Mugello and Mexico City, to conclude the development of the compounds, whose homologation is scheduled for December 15th.