Colapinto faces 10-place grid penalty at US Grand Prix

Franco Colapinto will start Sunday's United States Grand Prix from the back of the grid after Alpine fitted a fourth control electronic unit to his car, triggering a 10-place penalty. The Argentine driver focused Friday's practice sessions on race setup rather than qualifying simulations, mirroring the strategy used in Malaysia. Source: La Voz del Interior

The Penalty and Rivals

The penalty stems from exceeding the allowed three control units per season, a consequence of mechanical issues in Singapore. Source: clarin Colapinto is not alone: Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi) received a 20-place penalty for multiple component changes, and Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls) drops five places for a sixth internal combustion engine. Source: lavozar This context tempers the blow, as key rivals also face setbacks. Source: infobae

Track Challenges

Colapinto described the Circuit of the Americas as "very bumpy" and noted that the Alpine A526's stiff setup struggles on the uneven surface. Source: La Voz del Interior "We are a bit complicated with the stiffness of the car... it's a very bumpy track," he said. Source: clarin The team will work overnight to find a better balance for qualifying and the race. Source: infobae

Looking Ahead

Despite the penalty, Colapinto remains optimistic about overtaking opportunities on a track he enjoys. Source: La Voz del Interior Qualifying is set for Saturday at 18:00 local time, with the race on Sunday at 17:00. Source: Clarín