Breaking: Franco Colapinto Hit With Extra F1 Grid Penalty as Alpine…read more

Franco Colapinto Hit With Extra F1 Grid Penalty as Alpine Faces Bahrain Setback

 

The Alpine driver will take a further 10-place grid drop after the team fitted a fifth Mercedes power-unit component of the season.

 

Franco Colapinto’s difficult Formula 1 run has taken another turn, with the Alpine driver set to receive an additional grid penalty at the Bahrain Grand Prix.

 

Colapinto was already carrying a five-place grid drop from the previous round in Baku after being penalised for causing a collision involving team-mate Pierre Gasly and Lando Norris.

 

Now, Alpine has opted to fit Colapinto with a fifth Mercedes internal combustion engine of the 2026 season, exceeding the permitted allocation of four units.

 

That means the Argentine is expected to receive a further 10-place grid penalty, potentially leaving him with a total 15-place demotion.

 

Alpine makes strategic power-unit call

With Colapinto already facing a significant penalty, Alpine reportedly decided that introducing a fresh Mercedes V6 was worthwhile.

 

The additional engine should reduce the risk of further power-unit-related problems later in the season, while the five-place penalty carried over from Baku means Colapinto was already facing a major disadvantage.

 

As a result, the combined penalties are likely to leave the Alpine driver starting from the back row.

 

The timing is particularly significant for Alpine, which is locked in a closely fought battle with Racing Bulls for fifth place in the constructors’ championship.

 

Colapinto’s Baku crash had already proved costly. Racing Bulls took advantage of the situation and extended its advantage over Alpine to 15 points.

 

Gasly also facing a power-unit decision

 

Colapinto is not the only Alpine driver expected to require another power-unit change.

 

Pierre Gasly is also due to receive a new power unit during the upcoming races, although Alpine has yet to decide exactly when the Frenchman will take the associated grid penalty.

 

The team will therefore have to carefully manage its remaining power-unit allocation as the season progresses.

 

Meanwhile, Racing Bulls rookie Arvid Lindblad is also facing a back-of-the-grid start after taking a new engine, turbocharger and exhaust.

 

For Colapinto, however, the focus will be on limiting the damage. With a potential 15-place grid penalty hanging over him, Alpine faces another challenging weekend in its fight for fifth in the constructors’ championship.