Overview
- Following a team review of his late overtake on Pierre Gasly in Austin, Franco Colapinto said team instructions "must always be followed," shifting tone from his immediate post‑race defense.
- Alpine had publicly expressed disappointment over the disobedience, citing fuel management and race‑end variables, and convened a meeting on Tuesday ahead of the Mexico Grand Prix.
- Lap‑by‑lap data cited by Motorsport showed Colapinto was consistently quicker than Gasly from his stop to the flag and set his best time on the lap he made the pass, bolstering his sporting rationale.
- Reactions around the paddock included praise from David Coulthard and Jolyon Palmer, a measured response from Gasly, and public backing from José María "Pechito" López.
- Commercial signals grew as a new Claro spot and Mercado Libre messaging surfaced, and Alpine promoted Colapinto in a Mexico GP simulator video, fueling unconfirmed reports he will be retained for 2026.