Image: The New York Times

Alpine Condemns Abuse After Bearman Crash, Denies Favoritism Toward Gasly

02 April, 2026.Sports.9 sources

Key Takeaways

Alpine condemned hateful messages toward Colapinto and denied favoritism toward Gasly.
Bearman’s Suzuka crash involved Colapinto, triggering online abuse toward Colapinto.
Alpine's open letter rejects sabotage claims and asserts equal treatment for drivers.

Alpine Denounces Online Abuse

Alpine issued a nearly 1,200-word open letter condemning hateful online abuse targeted at Colapinto.

“Alpine has angrily criticized “completely unfounded” accusations that it is favoring Pierre Gasly over Franco Colapinto in Formula 1 this year”

Autoweek

The team also condemned abuse directed at Ocon, who accepted responsibility for a collision with Colapinto in Shanghai.

Autoweek

Over half the letter was dedicated to rejecting claims the team is favoring Gasly over Colapinto.

Bearman Crash Sparks Abuse

Bearman swerved to avoid Colapinto's much slower car, which was in energy harvesting mode.

The speed differential approached 30mph, creating a hazardous situation.

BBC

Bearman impacted barriers with a force measuring 50G and suffered a contusion.

Alpine Addresses Favoritism Claims

Alpine sought to quell rumors of sabotage or favoritism.

“Colapinto was caught up in Oliver Bearman's 308kph crash at Suzuka last Sunday, with the Haas driver swerving to avoid the Argentine's much slower car and hitting the barriers with a force of 50G”