Franco Colapinto and Alpine’s request for patience in Mexico

The Argentine approached his teammate Pierre Gasly on lap 35 of the 20th round, but they did not give him a way to pass him.

The Alpinegate that took place in the United States GP ended in a long talk and slap on the wrist for Franco Colapinto. In Austin, the Argentine reached Pierre Gasly’s tail at the end of the competition and the message on the radio was clear: “We have to maintain positions.” The ex-Williams did not pay attention and surpassed the Frenchman. After the race, the message from Steve Nielsen, director of the Enstone team, was clear: “I am disappointed with today, orders have to be fulfilled.”

In the week before the Mexico City GP there was a meeting in which the goals were clarified and it was made very clear that what is indicated is what should be done. Colapinto, after the slap on the wrist, pointed out: “A team order must always be obeyed. It is also true that the situations are complicated and I think that, as a driver, it was natural for me at that moment to compete, but we reviewed it with the team. We talked and discussed everything. I think everything is fine and clear.”

Nothing better than being faced with the same scenario again to be able to conclude if the message arrived. And at Hermanos Rodríguez the situation was experienced again. Colapinto, who started with hard tires, reached the exhausts of Gasly’s A525, wearing the medium tires. The Argentine’s initial spin did not affect his performance and he was ready to pass. But, the order came. The Argentine asked if he could pass his teammate, but the answer was negative: “No mate, be patient. Wait where you are, Pierre will enter the pits at the end of the lap.” When the Frenchman entered the pits, they told him: “Pierre is in the pits now. Let’s go back to the management phase, we are very happy.”

This time, the Argentine avoided the disobedience that brought him headaches in the United States. This time, the Argentine avoided the disobedience that brought him headaches in the United States. And at the end of the race, when Coalpinto, with soft tires with 15 laps less use than Gasly’s, took 18 seconds off him in 18 laps and reached the rear again. But the virtual security car that was applied at the closure prevented having to go through another mess.