Alpine backs Colapinto after Clarkson joke
NXTbets Pro | Published On: October 25, 2026
Alpine backs Colapinto
Alpine issued a statement backing Franco Colapinto after Jeremy Clarkson joked on Sky Sports F1 during United States Grand Prix weekend that the driver had a grid penalty “for being Argentinian, probably.” The team said it was aware of comments made by a team guest in a recent television interview and stated: “Franco is our driver and has our full support.” The comment was made during a broadcast appearance at Circuit of the Americas, with Alpine publicly standing behind Colapinto.
Clarkson joke backlash
Clarkson made the comment while appearing at Circuit of the Americas as Alpine’s guest, with Martin Brundle standing beside him. Brundle laughed and shook his head after Clarkson said Colapinto had a grid penalty “for being Argentinian, probably.” The exchange took place on Sky Sports F1 during the United States Grand Prix weekend, and the remark drew backlash in Argentina. Clarkson also referenced Top Gear’s controversial 2014 trip to Argentina during the same appearance.
Colapinto grid penalty
Colapinto was already serving a 10-place grid penalty for the weekend after using a fourth control electronics unit of the 2026 season. He qualified 14th and was set to start at the back of the 22-car grid. That penalty context made Clarkson’s remark more pointed, as the grid issue was already part of Colapinto’s weekend before Alpine issued its statement.
