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Post-Race Penalties Erase Alpine Points Finish
Alpine experienced a bitter conclusion to the Mexico City Grand Prix after post-race penalties stripped both of its competing drivers of their points-paying positions, leaving the French squad empty-handed in its Constructors' Championship battle. Following the grand prix, British specialist publication The Race reviewed the weekend's outcomes and included the French outfit among the event's primary losers under the heading "Loser: Alpine (15th and 17th)". The analysis detailed how the team shifted from high hopes of collecting valuable championship points to completing Sunday without a single scoring unit.
Midfield Pace and Initial Track Gains
The British outlet observed that "Alpine had achieved its best result since the Italian GP in early September, and then lost everything". During the race, Franco Colapinto produced a competitive drive in which he held off and defended against Racing Bulls competitor Liam Lawson, while also capitalizing on Arvid Lindblad retiring alongside a subsequent sanction given to Oscar Piastri to advance into seventh place. The Race highlighted that the Argentine driver once again set the second-fastest pace within the midfield group, though it noted that his initial finishing position was aided by favorable track circumstances.
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Steward Sanctions Demote Both Drivers
That optimism proved brief when sporting stewards delivered post-race verdicts several hours after competition ended. Stewards issued Colapinto a 10-second penalty after determining he had not decelerated sufficiently through a sector governed by yellow flags. The sanction dropped him to 15th in the final classification. Pierre Gasly was also punished with a stop-and-go penalty equivalent to 30 seconds, classifying him 17th. The double sanction eliminated Alpine's points haul after both cars had initially crossed in scoring positions (Alpine Penalties Hand Hirakawa Points on Formula 1 Debut).
Racing Bulls Extend Championship Advantage
The penalties dealt a damaging blow to Alpine's pursuit of fifth place in the Constructors' Championship standings. According to The Race, the stewards' decisions gave Racing Bulls a 35-point margin over the French team in that dispute. The altered finishing order directly aided their rivals, as Lawson inherited seventh place to secure crucial points for Racing Bulls, while Colapinto's Sunday swung from celebration for an impressive result into frustration at coming away empty.
Looking Ahead to the Brazilian Grand Prix
Following the Mexico City Grand Prix where penalties left him without points in 15th, Colapinto will look to recover positive feeling during the 2026 championship in Brazil. Formula 1 activity takes place at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace, commonly known as Interlagos, in São Paulo. Track running begins Friday ahead of Sunday's main grand prix starting at 14:00 Argentine time. The event represents the Alpine driver's third appearance at the circuit, following his two previous visits, with weekend coverage broadcast on Fox Sports and Disney+ Premium.
