Colapinto breaks down after costly error at Italian Grand Prix

Franco Colapinto could not hold back tears after a mistake turned a potential breakthrough at Monza into a ninth-place finish. The Argentine had climbed to third during the Italian Grand Prix, but lost control of his Alpine shortly after the race restarted and fell from fifth to 16th.

“ It was a tough race. Very frustrating. I’m sad about it. A great race and a big mistake,” Colapinto said after the finish. “I wasted a very important opportunity for the team and for me. We have to learn from this and move on.”

The error came after the race had been stopped by a red flag following Charles Leclerc’s serious crash. Colapinto had been gaining ground and returned to the track quickly, but the incident cost him numerous positions.

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It was a tough race. Very frustrating. I’m sad about it. A great race and a big mistake.

He then began a sustained recovery. Colapinto passed Carlos Sainz, Esteban Ocon and Nico Hülkenberg before moving back into the points. He later made a double pass on Gabriel Bortoleto and Ollie Bearman, reached 10th, and moved up to ninth after passing Yuki Tsunoda. He could not close the gap to Arvid Lindblad in the closing stages.

The result gave Colapinto two points and left him with 21 points from seven scoring races in the 2026 season, placing him 12th in the drivers’ championship. Gasly’s sixth-place haul lifted him to 41 points and 10th. Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli won after starting 19th, completing a notable recovery and extending his championship lead.

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I wasted a very important opportunity for the team and for me. We have to learn from this and move on.