PALMER: Was Colapinto right to disobey team orders in Austin?
Former Renault F1 driver Jolyon Palmer gives his take on the Argentine ignoring the team call to hold station behind Pierre Gasly in Austin – and what it might mean for his chances of keeping the seat next year.

/GettyImages-2242052199.webp)
Franco Colapinto drew the ire from his Alpine team for ignoring their call for him to sit behind Pierre Gasly in the final stages of the United States Grand Prix, as Max Verstappen approached to put a lap on both Alpine cars.
It was a call that clearly frustrated the Argentinian driver who hasn’t got a confirmed seat for 2026 yet – and with plenty to prove, he showed some fight on track.
Disobeying team orders is always risky business for a driver, particularly when you are eager for a new contract, but to be honest I didn’t mind seeing it from Colapinto here. Personally I felt the team orders were overkill from Alpine.
Next Up
Related Articles
Bottas embarks on first day as a Cadillac driver
Hulkenberg pleased to score points in Sauber’s final race
Tickets on sale for 2026 Chinese Grand Prix
F1 AcademyFerrari sign Larsen for 2026 F1 ACADEMY campaign
Wolff calls Abu Dhabi ‘mediocre’ but ‘pleased’ to finish P2
Piastri 'will be a world champion' in future – Norris
