Alpine issued an open letter rejecting social‑media sabotage claims and condemning online abuse, calling the allegations “completely unfounded” and “illogical and counterproductive.” The team stressed it would not intentionally handicap itself and said the statement was meant to defend its drivers and quash rumor‑driven speculation. It added both cars run the same equipment apart from some small, low‑performance parts used in China after a gearbox‑component switch.

The letter followed a string of on‑track incidents and hostile fan reaction. At the Chinese GP in Shanghai, Franco Colapinto finished 10th, 49 seconds behind teammate Pierre Gasly, after a collision with Esteban Ocon; Alpine said Ocon accepted responsibility. Some Argentine fans publicly suggested specification differences, used pejorative language about Colapinto’s car and directed death threats at Ocon. Colapinto said the team needed to “understand a few things on the high‑speed corners” and to source missing parts after the incident.

Alpine also addressed the high‑speed crash at the Japanese GP at Suzuka involving Colapinto and Haas driver Ollie Bearman. Bearman reportedly experienced a 50G impact after taking avoiding action for an estimated 45 km/h speed differential while Colapinto was harvesting energy. The team said “abuse of any kind is unacceptable,” confirmed it actively moderates its channels and is coordinating with F1 and the FIA, which has said it will examine the speed differential and will not issue immediate penalties, and will participate in planned April meetings to review regulations. Alpine urged fans to engage respectfully, highlighted driver welfare and fan conduct as immediate concerns, and said internal procedures and social‑media moderation are being used to address misconduct.

Sources