Gasly Says Family Targeted by Online Abuse After Alpine Team-Order Row
Alpine's Pierre Gasly says he, his family and his girlfriend faced widespread online abuse and threats after a team-order controversy late in the Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid. Gasly called the abuse 'completely inappropriate' and 'disturbing.' The story was reported jointly by RacingNews365, ESPN, The Race, Crash.net and Motorsport.com.
What Happened in Madrid
Late in the race, Gasly ran a 55-lap stint on hard tyres before pitting, and on his in-lap he effectively blocked teammate Franco Colapinto. That didn't cost Colapinto his position outright, but it let McLaren's Oscar Piastri close from 2.3 seconds behind to just 0.2 seconds. Over team radio, Colapinto repeatedly asked for a swap, saying 'Swap. Swap!' - but Alpine never issued an explicit order. Gasly picked up a five-second penalty and finished 12th; Colapinto came home seventh.
Drivers and Team React
Gasly said he discussed the situation with the team, explaining 'There wasn't a call for an actual swap.' Colapinto stressed his relationship with Gasly remains good, but said 'hopefully, they can stop it,' voicing concern that support for him had spilled over into genuine threats. Within Alpine there's a view that the strategy call had some justification, though the lack of a clear position-swap instruction between the two drivers is seen as having fuelled the confusion.
An Issue That Follows the Team to Baku
Alpine has had repeated communication issues around team orders this season, and this episode is part of that pattern. With both Colapinto and Gasly racing again this Saturday in Baku, a tight street circuit where teammates can easily end up fighting for track position, it remains to be seen whether Alpine will issue a clearer instruction if the situation repeats. The online abuse directed at drivers and their families has also reignited broader questions about F1 fan culture.