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. After the crash, Colapinto was taken to the circuit’s medical center, where he was evaluated and confirmed to be fine.
Colapinto, loaned to Alpine by Williams, replaced Jack Doohan at the beginning of this year, but has not managed to obtain outstanding results alongside his teammate Pierre Gasly, and has yet to score points.Franco Colapinto ha tenido dificultades en su tiempo en Alpine.Speculation about his possible departure from the team and his replacement by Doohan, reserve driver Paul Aron, or even Valtteri Bottas from Mercedes has been constant.
Colapinto’s accident at 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, with not much run-off area beyond the exit kerb. Alpine did not provide details on how the accident occurred.
Colapinto was chosen 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 restructuring of the regulations for next season.
‘I am useless’: Hamilton spiraling in dire Ferrari debut year
Enrico Cardile starts at Aston Martin after Ferrari dispute
Gabriel Bortoleto the ‘best rookie of his generation’ – Alonso
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 tests were carried out 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 its SF-25 from this year, designed to replicate the performance of a 2026 car in corners and straights.
The aim of the test is to carry out 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 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
“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.”
