Franco Colapinto’s performance in the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix marked his first point in Formula One since the 2024 US Grand Prix. Colapinto finished in tenth place, a significant achievement for the young driver as he continues to establish himself in the competitive world of Formula One.
During the race, Colapinto was involved in a mid-race incident with fellow driver Esteban Ocon, which resulted in light contact. Ocon was held entirely to blame for the collision and received a 10-second time penalty, impacting his finishing position, which was fourteenth.
Colapinto’s race strategy included a sole pit stop on lap 32, where he switched from hard to medium tyres. Despite being one lap down from the leader, his mature driving style was noted, contrasting with the aggressive tactics often seen in rookie drivers.
Following the incident with Ocon, Colapinto’s management company issued a statement urging fans not to send hate or death threats to Ocon or his team, Haas F1. This call for sportsmanship highlights the intense emotions that can arise in motorsport.
Colapinto expressed his delight at scoring his first point, stating, “What a race and what a great day for the team with both cars in the points! I’m delighted to open my account with Alpine, but I’m just as frustrated because I wanted more.” His teammate Pierre Gasly also contributed to the team’s success, scoring nine points in the race.
Flavio Briatore, a prominent figure in the BWT Alpine Formula One Team, praised both drivers, saying, “Scoring nine points with Pierre and Franco is a solid result. Both drivers did an excellent job to give the whole Enstone team a fine reward after this difficult run of two races to open the campaign.”
As the season progresses, observers will be keen to see how Colapinto builds on this performance and whether he can continue to score points consistently. The BWT Alpine Formula One Team, having secured a total of 10 points in the Constructors’ Championship from this race, will look to capitalize on this momentum in upcoming events.
Overall, Colapinto’s achievement in Shanghai not only marks a personal milestone but also contributes positively to his team’s standing in the championship. The 2026 season is shaping up to be an exciting one for both Colapinto and the BWT Alpine Formula One Team.
