Pierre Gasly has condemned the online abuse he received after the Spanish Grand Prix, describing threats made against his family and his girlfriend as completely inappropriate. Speaking to media in Baku, the Alpine driver said the messages had left him deeply unsettled.
The online abuse aimed at Gasly followed a tense finish in Spain, where team radio picked up a request from Franco Colapinto to swap positions. Gasly did not hold back when asked how it had made him feel.
Pierre Gasly Speaks Out Against Personal Social Media Threats
Gasly was blunt about the scale of what he had faced. He accepts scrutiny as part of life at the top of the sport, but said this had gone far beyond anything reasonable.
I think personally I find it a little bit disturbing for our sport. I think to the extent you know I’m a top athlete, so I know I’m exposed, it’s always been the case. But to that extent of threats and attacks, I find it a little bit, well even completely inappropriate, especially when it reaches out to family members, girlfriend, etc.
That last point mattered most to him. Gasly made clear the abuse had not stayed within racing; it had reached people close to him who have no part in what happens on track.
Gasly Clarifies Alpine Strategy and Driver Swap Claims
Gasly also used the session to correct the record on what actually happened during the race. He confirmed Alpine never ordered a driver swap, despite the noise that built up around the radio messages.
We obviously discussed it with the team. There wasn’t a call for an actual swap, it’s all been discussed with the team and it’s all clear.
According to the Motorsport.com report on Gasly statements, the Frenchman was firm that the matter had already been settled inside the team. There was no lingering dispute, he said, just a conversation that had run its course before the abuse ever started.
Colapinto Radio Request and Squad Context Following Spanish GP
The row traces back to a moment during the Spanish Grand Prix when Franco Colapinto, running behind Gasly, asked his engineer over the radio for a position swap. Alpine did not act on the request, and both cars continued the race as they had been running.
Colapinto later addressed the abuse aimed at his teammate directly, asking fans to stop targeting Gasly over a decision that was never even made by the team.
We are always working as a team, and it’s not nice to see it, so hopefully they can stop it.
Colapinto’s comments matched Gasly’s own account: a radio request, a team discussion, and no swap. The two drivers have raced together at Alpine through a season that has already brought Gasly Gasly’s maiden pole position and his Monaco podium finish, results that have raised expectations around the team’s second car too.
Next Steps for Alpine and Drivers Ahead of Upcoming Races
Both drivers now turn their attention to the next round of the championship, with the swap talk put to rest by their own words rather than any statement from the team. Gasly’s priority remains building on a season that has already delivered his best results at Alpine.
For now, the focus shifts back to the track. Gasly and Colapinto are expected to face media again before the next grand prix weekend, and neither has suggested the incident will affect how they work together going forward.
