Latest news with #AlpineF1
Newsweek
15-07-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Franco Colapinto Gets Alpine F1 Future Clarity After Shaky Start
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. There is another twist in the Franco Colapinto saga - Alpine is reportedly keeping him on the team for the remainder of the season. Colapinto's shaky start in the Alpine seat has raised questions about his future, particularly since senior advisor Flavio Briatore appears non-committal to the Argentine's future. Those doubts are quelled for the time being as Renault Argentina CEO Pablo Sibilla answered a question about Colapinto's future. An Argentine broadcaster asked if Colapinto's seat is secure for more than a couple of races. Franco Colapinto of Argentina and Alpine F1 looks on in the Pitlane during the F1 Grand Prix of Great Britain at Silverstone Circuit on July 06, 2025 in Northampton, England. Franco Colapinto of Argentina and Alpine F1 looks on in the Pitlane during the F1 Grand Prix of Great Britain at Silverstone Circuit on July 06, 2025 in Northampton, England. Photo by"Yes, end of year," Sibilla responded. Sibilla's statement comes during an uncertain period for Colapinto. Rumors suggest he could be replaced for the Belgian Grand Prix, but he appears calm when speaking to the media at Silverstone. "I'm not very concerned," he said. "Of course, there is always talks. I just need to keep working and trying to help the team to improve the car." Colapinto replaced Australian Jack Doohan for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, but he is yet to score points and has made it out of Q2 just once in his first six races. Also, an alarming trend from his time at Williams is carrying over to Alpine - Colapinto is having incidents on track, which are setting him back further. At the Spanish Grand Prix, Briatore began doubting Colapinto in public. "If Colapinto is performing, he's driving the car. If not, we'll see - 2025 is a year we need to prepare ourselves for 2026," Briatore said. "So whatever experiment I need doing, we're doing. I don't know if Franco will stay for the season, but let's see. Depends on the performance. "We're only looking at the performance - nothing else." In fairness to Colapinto, he has battled technical issues in the car and rough luck, which hampered him in races. He didn't even start the British Grand Prix due to one of these issues - fully capturing the rough luck and poor performances this season. If Sibilla is correct and the Argentine stays in the Alpine, Colapinto must perform and impress the demanding Briatore. Some of his luck should eventually start to turn, but he must get to grips with the car or risk getting replaced by Valtteri Bottas or Paul Aron. More F1 news: How Lewis Hamilton Made the F1 Movie Production More Expensive For more F1 news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
Newsweek
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
FIA Comes Under Fire as Franco Colapinto Receives Death Threats
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Alpine Formula One driver Franco Colapinto has been receiving hate comments on Instagram for nearly crashing into Oscar Piastri during the Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring. Piastri's fans targeted the Argentinian driver on his most recent post, with some even typing out death threats. The incident between Colapinto and Piastri occurred in the last stage of the race in Spielberg. Piastri was held up by the back-marker traffic while battling for the top spot with Lando Norris. Colapinto and Yuki Tsunoda were fighting for a position outside of the points at the same time. When the blue flags are out, cars that are about to get lapped must clear the way for the leading cars. However, occupied by his battle, Colapinto nearly made contact with Piastri when the McLaren driver tried to pass him. Franco Colapinto of Argentina and Alpine F1 on the drivers parade prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on June 29, 2025 in Spielberg, Austria. Franco Colapinto of Argentina and Alpine F1 on the drivers parade prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on June 29, 2025 in Spielberg, was then forced onto the grass in an attempt to prevent a collision. Colapinto eventually gave way after noticing the MCL39 in his mirror. He received a five-second penalty from the FIA stewards for forcing a car off the race track. Despite the penalty, Piastri's fans were not satisfied. They vented frustration on Colapinto's most recent post. The comments section became a war zone, with Colapinto's fans calling for the FIA's intervention for the hate comments. Some comments are posted below: One fan posted: "F1, FIA this is death threat don't go. Not to say anything?????" [sic] Another fan asked for Colapinto to be respected: "FIA we ask respect towards Franco Colapinto for verbal aggressions and threats. F1." An Argentinian fan commented: "FIA, F1. Are hate and bad comments only punished when they're from an Argentinian? Be fair and treat everyone equally." This fan was furious about the hate Colapinto was receiving: "F1, Sky Sports F1, ESPN F1, FIA. WE KINDLY INVITE YOU TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE COMMENT SECTION AND READ THE AGGRESIVE COMMENTS, BULLYING AND HATE OUR DRIVER @francolapinto IS RECEIVING DUE TO THE INCIDENT WITH @oscarpiastri during today's GP. Now that the tables have turned, we hope you voice your opinion same way you did in the past. ALL DRIVERS DEMAND THE SAME MISTAKE REGARDLESS OF THEIR COUNTRY OF BIRTH!" [sic] Several F1 drivers have faced online hate in the recent past. Yuki Tsunoda was targeted by Colapinto's fans online after he revealed his frustration at being blocked by the Alpine driver at Imola in the first practice session. However, Colapinto urged his fans to have respect for other drivers. He said: "I know they are extremely passionate, and they are always very harsh on people. They have to give respect, and that's what we all want. "There is a lot of hate on social media ... so of course we always try and want, for all the drivers, to keep it respectful and keep it calm there."
Newsweek
23-06-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Alpine F1 Boss Breaks Silence on Leadership Shakeup After Renault CEO Exit
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Alpine F1 interim team principal Flavio Briatore has opened up on the effects of a leadership change at parent company Renault. CEO Luca de Meo announced he was stepping down from his role after the Canadian Grand Prix. De Meo's exit raised several questions about the future of the Alpine F1 team, especially considering the recent exit of full-time team principal Oliver Oakes. Briatore was appointed as a senior advisor to de Meo last year in a bid to make Alpine a winning team again. The Enstone-based team has mostly struggled in the current ground effect era with an underpowered power unit. Currently, the team is placed last in the championship standings, and a leadership shakeup would likely add to the confidence problem. Alpine special advisor Flavio Briatore walks in the paddock during day two of F1 Testing at Bahrain International Circuit on February 27, 2025 in Bahrain, Bahrain. Alpine special advisor Flavio Briatore walks in the paddock during day two of F1 Testing at Bahrain International Circuit on February 27, 2025 in Bahrain, Briatore has suggested that it is business as usual for Alpine. When asked by Reuters if de Meo's exit meant anything for the team, he said: "Nothing, absolutely nothing. "Nothing changed for me. Not for me or the team. And congratulations to Luca, new job." Alpine driver Pierre Gasly also opened up on de Meo's exit. Newsweek Sports previously reported his comments: "First of all, I think I need to have all the information. I have a very good relationship with Luca, he was the one that took me into the team, and I think he's a very inspiring person. "So obviously, first reaction is that I'm very sad to see him leave. "I'm sure he's got some good reasons. And I think at the end, for us as a team - even though not everything is great at the moment - there's still a lot of positives happening at the factory." He added: "For me, it's important that we keep that momentum going into '26, because the picture and the performance could be very different. And we need to keep that in mind. "And I think it's important for all of us to stick as a team and stick together in these types of moments. "And, you know, rely on each other and just trust the long game." Renault made a major decision last year to shut down Alpine's F1 engine operations at its Viry-Châtillon factory, becoming a customer team from 2026 amid rising costs. As a result, Alpine's F1 cars in the new era of regulations starting in 2026 will be powered by Mercedes power units. Alpine's status shift from a works team to a customer team raised many questions, especially about the team's long-term future in the sport. With de Meo's exit, it remains to be seen who will replace him and what decisions will follow.
BBC News
13-06-2025
- Science
- BBC News
Jersey students say new programme is gateway to dream jobs
A new programme is helping pupils progress towards their dream jobs, say students in 17, and Lucy, 15, from Hautlieu School have been on the STEM On Track programme which taught students to build a go-kart before they learnt to ride and race in were selected from the course to go to the UK where they earned their racing is part of work to get more girls studying subjects like science, technology, engineering and maths which are traditionally dominated by male students. Chlodie and Lucy are both fans of Formula 1 and the course involved them training with the Alpine FI Team in the said: "It's been really exciting because every week we've been able to see more and more, progress with our go-kart as it's been built and then going to the UK for the racing was really fun."So I'm a big fan of F1 and this is a really good gateway into that."Lucy added: "I think a lot more people are going to try to do it as my friends have seen me doing it and really enjoying it plus I'm a big Formula 1 fan so this is very exciting for me."The STEM On Track works with Alpine F1 Team to help train students and teach them about engineering and racing. Hautlieu physics teacher Carl Bowen-Price, who worked to bring the project to the school, said "I was very focused on bringing exam success" but wanted "to focus on delivering opportunities Jersey students don't normally get".Mr Bowen-Price added: "I want to work closely with the government and I'm hoping to have some talks soon to get this spread across all schools."The school will be able to continue with the project for the next three years after it secured funding from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). The school is also hoping to encourage more people from different backgrounds to study science at A-level with a new STEM project which sees students learn how to extract DNA from University of Dundee runs the program which schools across the British Isles take part in and the class is almost split evenly between boys and 16, said "it's nice to see so many girls here" and "it's important to challenge those barriers and it's an exciting opportunity that all girls should go for".Johana, 17, added: "It's been one of the most interesting projects I've been a part of because finding ways to sequence DNA could change the world of medicine and help people with diseases..." The project is being led by biology teacher Jon Hale who started the project at Beaulieu Convent School where he is the assistant head said: "The University of Dundee saw potential in our work and have supported us so we can go bigger which is how we've now got schools in Jersey all the way to Orkney involved."Mr Hale added that "there are close to 30 schools across the UK working on this" and "it would be great to have every secondary school in Jersey have its own project like this".
Newsweek
08-06-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Alpine F1 Unveils Smart Sneakers With Built-In Chip for Exclusive Access
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Alpine Formula One team is not only upping its game on track, but it is also enhancing the fan experience by quite a margin. The team has launched unique travel sneakers that offer exclusive access to customers and connect them to Alpine's "loyalty ecosystem." Alpine partnered with Endstate, a footwear and technology company based in Boston, to develop the sneakers that come with an NFC chip embedded in the tongue. Customers can tap their phones to gain access to exclusive Alpine F1 experiences and product authentication. The handcrafted tech sneakers are made in Portugal with a leather upper and rubber outsole, designed to be worn by all genders. Franco Colapinto of Argentina driving the (43) Alpine F1 A525 Renault on track during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Spain at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on May 31, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. Franco Colapinto of Argentina driving the (43) Alpine F1 A525 Renault on track during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Spain at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on May 31, 2025 in Barcelona, calls the partnership the amalgamation of high-performance motorsport with modern footwear design backed by technology. The product description states: "BWT Alpine Formula 1 Team have partnered with Endstate to create a contemporary luxury sneaker designed specifically for the racing team. The collaboration marks a significant milestone in merging high-performance motorsport with modern footwear design embedded with technology. "Each Alpine x Endstate sneaker seamlessly integrates an Endstate NFC chip (3chip) embedded within the tongue, transforming the shoes into a gateway for exclusive Alpine experiences and product authentication. The 3chip activates through a simple smartphone tap, instantly connecting owners to Alpine's loyalty ecosystem." The BWT Alpine Formula One Team Travel Sneaker is here! 👟 Crafted with @Endstate, each pair features an embedded chip unlocking exclusive BWT Alpine Formula One Team experiences and authenticating your — BWT Alpine Formula One Team (@AlpineF1Team) June 7, 2025 The Alpine F1 team has also been witnessing technological and managerial changes in its efforts to climb the pecking order. The team's senior advisor, Flavio Briatore, has assumed the team boss role after the exit of Oliver Oakes in May, until a new team principal takes charge. Briatore joined Alpine last year, and since his onboarding, the Enstone outfit has been preparing to not only enhance performance in the current season but also plan for next year, when the sport enters a new era of regulations. Addressing the changes, Briatore told F1: "We're back in the business, with Alpine. Not easy because the team has gone through a lot of change, especially in the last four or five years, not only now. But little by little, we try to put the team together, the people together. "We're looking for next year as well – for the new engine and the new gearbox from Mercedes-Benz. So, this is our goal for next year. In the meantime, we need to be more competitive. We are not competitive for the moment, like I want, but [it] takes time." Speaking on the progress made in finding a new team principal, Briatore said: "We're looking. For the moment, nothing changed. I feel sorry for Ollie, honestly, because I had a very good relationship with him. He was a good team principal. "Everybody knows for personal reasons he stopped and resigned from Alpine. We're looking. We don't want to make any mistake. I'm prepared to take some time. But the moment we decide what is the new team manager, put in this way, we'll tell you."
