Franco Colapinto was left in tears after a big mistake cost him a shot at the front in the Italian Grand Prix. The Argentine had climbed to third before a spin dropped him down the order, though he recovered to finish ninth and score points for Alpine.
A Promising Start
Starting from seventh, Colapinto gained a place at the start after an incident involving Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. Two laps later, Leclerc crashed, and Colapinto moved up again before overtaking Oscar Piastri, only for the race to be red-flagged.
Heartbreak at Lesmo
At the second start, Colapinto lined up fourth and immediately attacked Max Verstappen, passing him at the first chicane to briefly hold third. Verstappen reclaimed the position at Variante della Roggia, but moments later Colapinto lost control at Lesmo and ran into the gravel, dropping to 16th.
Deep Regret
“I had a great opportunity and I didn't take it, so I'm sad, really sad about that. I think it could have been a great race, and that was a big mistake. I missed a very important opportunity for the team and for myself,” a tearful Colapinto told ESPN Argentina.
Colapinto, confirmed to stay with Alpine for 2027 last week, was still frustrated when speaking to media in Monza. “I'm just frustrated. I think I did some good stuff. I lost the car completely in Turn 5-6, a bit out of nowhere. We could have done some good things, P2 and P3 together, and you feel so strong and suddenly fighting with the top teams, you get motivated quickly, and a mistake like that throws it all away,” he said.
His team-mate Pierre Gasly started from pole but could only manage seventh. That did little to ease Colapinto's frustration. “I'm just frustrated with not maximising the car and the good stuff we were doing together. I think I just learn for the future,” he added.
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