Franco Colapinto from Alpine suffered a heavy crash while testing the Pirelli 2026 Formula 1 tires at the Hungaroring. The incident occurred during the second day of testing following the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Testing Continues After Hungarian GP
After race weekend in Budapest, McLaren, Racing Bulls, and Ferrari joined Alpine to stay for the tire testing program. Tuesday’s session ran smoothly and provided useful data for teams. However, Colapinto crashed his car at high-speed Turn 11 on Wednesday, briefly halting proceedings.
Alpine Confirms Colapinto Is Safe
In an official statement, Alpine confirmed: “During Day 2 of Pirelli Tyre Testing at the Hungaroring this morning, Franco Colapinto had an incident at Turn 11. Franco was assessed on site at the medical center and is OK.” The reassurance means Colapinto avoided injury despite the severity of the crash.
Preparing for 2026 Regulations
The test sessions are crucial as Formula 1 prepares for its major technical overhaul in 2026. One of the biggest changes will be the introduction of smaller tires. Pirelli faces the challenge of adapting tire compounds to cars with decreased cornering load while still ensuring controlled degradation to encourage multiple pitstops.
Colapinto’s Season with Alpine
Colapinto joined Alpine as a reserve driver earlier in 2024, stepping in for Jack Doohan after six rounds. Initially expected to race in only five Grands Prix, he has retained his seat since returning at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in Imola. Despite the opportunity, he remains the only driver on the current grid without a championship point this season.
Looking Ahead
For Alpine, Colapinto’s crash is a reminder of the risks involved in testing, but also an essential part of preparing for the future. With the 2026 regulation changes looming, teams and Pirelli must gather as much data as possible to ensure the transition goes smoothly. For Colapinto, the focus now shifts back to chasing his first points in Formula 1.