# Alpine backs Colapinto after Clarkson joke

> Alpine supports driver Franco Colapinto after Jeremy Clarkson joked about his grid penalty for being Argentinian.
- Title: Alpine backs Colapinto after Clarkson joke · Motorsport
- Summary: Alpine supports driver Franco Colapinto after Jeremy Clarkson joked about his grid penalty for being Argentinian. Alpine publicly backed Franco Colapinto…
- Keywords: alpine, franco colapinto, jeremy clarkson, united states gp, grid penalty, sports, cars, backs, Colapinto, Clarkson, joke, Motorsport
- Source: Motorsport — https://motorsport.com/f1/news/alpine-issues-statement-after-jeremy-clarksons-controversial-franco-colapinto-comments/10868082
- Author: Lydia Mee
- Published: 2026-10-25T00:24:51+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: alpine, franco colapinto, jeremy clarkson, f1, united states gp, grid penalty, sports, cars
## Alpine issues statement
Alpine released a statement supporting driver Franco Colapinto after Jeremy Clarkson's controversial comments.

> We at Alpine are aware of the comments made by a team guest in a recent television interview in Austin
## Clarkson's grid penalty joke
Jeremy Clarkson joked on Sky Sports F1 that Franco Colapinto received a grid penalty for being Argentinian.

> Franco’s got a grid penalty for being Argentinian. Probably. Well, I’d give him one for that
## Colapinto's penalty
Colapinto received a 10-place grid penalty for his fourth new control electronics unit this season.

> Colapinto was handed a 10-place grid penalty for this weekend's United States Grand Prix
## Clarkson's Patagonia reference
Clarkson referenced a 2014 Top Gear episode in Patagonia where the crew fled after protests.

> the trio fled the country when protests broke out and the crew was pelted with stones
## Key takeaway

Alpine publicly backed Franco Colapinto following Jeremy Clarkson's comment that the driver received a grid penalty for being Argentinian.