Official statement from Alpine regarding threats and sabotage

      The Alpine team has published an official statement regarding threats directed at drivers and accusations of sabotage…

      "After analyzing publications on the internet and social media following the Japanese Grand Prix, the team feels it is necessary to comment on certain issues, as well as to once again speak out against hate and insults directed not only at one of our drivers but also at our racing colleagues and other members of the larger Formula 1 family.

      The team has previously taken a firm stance condemning any manifestations of hate, insults, threats, or bullying online and on social media, issuing statements urging people to use social media responsibly and to follow community guidelines.

      Our position on this matter has not changed. Social media should be a place where people come together, share experiences, and engage in constructive discussions. In a sport as complex as Formula 1, people will always have differing opinions and disagree with one another, but we urge fans of all teams and drivers to do so politely and with respect.

      This is not about one specific group of fans, but about the entire Formula 1 community coming together to enjoy the sport we all love.

      The team condemns hate messages directed at Franco Colapinto after the race in Japan, just as it condemned the insults and threats directed at Esteban Ocon following the collision of two cars during the Chinese Grand Prix.

      Both drivers were engaged in a fierce battle for position, Esteban took responsibility and apologized to Franco, personally seeking him out in the press area and also apologizing on social media. The subsequent insults were not in the spirit of the sport.

      Any insults directed at drivers are unacceptable, and it is especially disappointing that they come from a small group of fans of the team directed at a driver who has done so much for the team in the past and is a Grand Prix winner with Alpine.

      The team condemns manifestations of hate towards Franco after the incident with Oliver Berman in Suzuka. The most important thing is the safety and health of the drivers, and fortunately, Oliver is fine. The high speed differential is a characteristic of these cars, and the FIA will review this issue in the coming weeks.

      The FIA reviewed the incident involving Franco and Oliver during the race and deemed that no further action is required.

      The team monitors its social media channels, using certain moderation tools for comments that do not meet our community guidelines. We maintain a constant dialogue with Formula 1 and the FIA on this issue to close it in the future.

      Now that the team and our entire sport have begun a short break, we would like to clarify the doubts of some fans regarding the equality between our two cars.

      The team always strives to put two of the fastest cars on the track, providing both drivers with equal opportunities to compete and earn important points for us in the championship.

      In some cases, considering the delivery of parts and production specifics, the team may bring only certain parts or updates to the races. But this approach is not intentional or prioritized. If a part improves the car's performance, as we hope and plan, we want it to be available for both cars. This has been the case this year – Pierre and Franco raced in identical cars except for a few minor parts that do not affect performance, which were used in China due to gearbox component replacements.

      Franco is our driver, the team trusts him, and he trusts the team. He holds an equal place in the team alongside Pierre. Any suggestions of sabotage or that Franco is not provided with a car of the same level are completely unfounded, and that is why the team felt it necessary to issue this statement.

      This year, in the pursuit of developments, there may be moments when updates appear first on one car, which the team will communicate. The goal is always to put updates on both cars whenever possible.

      It is absolutely not in the team's interest to not score points, and any suggestions of sabotage do not contribute to achieving that goal. From the first races, the team has been in a strong position, but does not rest on its laurels and maintains a clear view of the situation. In the last two races, our car was the fourth fastest, and we understand that we must work incredibly hard to stay at this level and provide both cars with regular chances for points.

      The team in Enstone works incredibly hard and draws energy from the fans to continue fighting in hopes of good results. Both Pierre and Franco are also working very hard and will be working in Enstone during the break alongside engineers and on the simulator, maximizing the car's potential.

      One of the things that often goes unnoticed and is not seen often enough is how closely our drivers collaborate and share information. Pierre and Franco regularly visit the engineering office to share data and feedback. Our team is fortunate to have such an experienced driver as Pierre, and as seen from his performances in the early races, he is a master of his craft, capable of consistently delivering incredibly high-level results.

      Our engineering group is very cohesive, everyone is working in the same direction. The same goes for Pierre and Franco. No one hides information or keeps anything secret. This is long in the past and has no place in modern Formula 1, where every little detail, every bit of data is needed for the team's success. This is especially true in the case of new cars, new power units, and a smart approach to racing.

      As racing fans, we are already looking forward to getting back on track and eagerly await our return to Miami in a few weeks. We will use the season break to analyze the first three races, find ways to improve results, and come back even stronger. Franco, in the meantime, is looking forward to returning to Argentina to feel the passion of the local fans and repay them for their loyal support.

      Our competitors will not be resting or standing still, so neither will we.

      We sincerely thank you for your continued support. Keep following our channels to stay updated on the latest news, and we will continue to share stories and behind-the-scenes content from our base to show you how the team's work is progressing," the official statement said.