Colapinto abused over Bearman’s crash in Japan
Ex-Alpine driver Ocon clashed with Colapinto in China
Alpine have condemned on Thursday online abuse of Franco Colapinto for an incident in the Japanese Grand Prix as well as death threats directed at the Formula One team’s former racer Esteban Ocon over prior events in China.
They also dismissed suspicions from some fans of “sabotage” and claims their Argentinian driver was not being given the same quality equipment as his teammate Pierre Gasly.
Colapinto was caught up in Oliver Bearman’s 190mph crash at Suzuka on Sunday, with the Haas driver swerving to avoid the Argentinian’s much slower car and hitting the barriers with a force of 50g. Ocon, now Bearman’s teammate at Haas, accepted blame for a clash with Colapinto in Shanghai last month. The Renault-owned Alpine condemned “hateful messages” aimed at Colapinto and Ocon after the two incidents.
