Overview
- Alpine formally named the 22-year-old from Pilar as a full-time Formula 1 driver for 2026 in a Friday announcement at São Paulo.
- Colapinto crashed into the barriers during Saturday's Sprint after hitting unexpected water on track, forcing a retirement.
- Alpine mechanics rebuilt the car overnight, but he qualified 18th and said he lacked pace despite extensive changes.
- Teammate Pierre Gasly scored a Sprint point and took ninth on the qualifying grid, underscoring contrasting fortunes within Alpine.
- A large Argentine contingent filled the stands, including a 13-year-old who met Colapinto in the fan zone and got an Alpine shirt signed by him and Pierre Gasly.