Flavio Briatore warns Colapinto fans to stop abusing rivals

Flavio Briatore, executive advisor to Alpine, has issued an ultimatum to Argentine fans of driver Franco Colapinto, demanding they cease online abuse directed at his rivals. This follows tensions during the Spanish Grand Prix involving a team order dispute between Colapinto and Pierre Gasly. Gasly reported that he and his family have been targets of inappropriate online attacks and threats, which he described as “completely inappropriate.”

Briatore warned that if the disrespectful behavior on social media continues, Colapinto may stop communicating with the Argentine media entirely. He urged fans to support the driver with loyalty and respect rather than anger.

Separately, McLaren team principal Andrea Stella commented on the potential severity of consequences for Colapinto following a collision in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The incident, which involved Colapinto, Gasly, and Lando Norris, resulted in a ten-second penalty for the Argentine driver. Stella suggested that Colapinto might face internal scrutiny from Briatore that could be even more severe than the official FIA sanctions.