Franco Colapinto's manager issues statement over Jeremy Clarkson's 'unacceptable' comment about Alpine driver

Franco Colapinto is set to start the United States Grand Prix with a grid penalty for exceeding the permitted number of power unit components in a season.

He received a 10-place grid penalty for using his fourth Control Electronics Unit, which prompted Jeremy Clarkson to make a comment at the expense of the Argentine.

Now, Colapinto’s manager has issued a statement regarding the former Top Gear presenter’s comments.

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Jeremy Clarkson’s comments on Franco Colapinto

The Alpine driver performed admirably in the qualifying session on Saturday in Austin, Texas; however, his grid penalty will have a serious impact on his chances in the US Grand Prix.

After finishing 14th in qualifying, the Alpine driver will start from P21 on the grid later today at the Circuit of the Americas.

Kimi Antonelli is aiming to lift the Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship this weekend in the United States of America.

While speaking to Sky Sports on Saturday, Clarkson - who was a guest of Alpine - made an apparent joke about Colapinto when talking about his grid penalty.

The former Grand Tour presenter said: “Franco’s got a grid penalty for being Argentinian. Probably. Well, I’d give him one for that. But anyway, that’s just because of what happened when we went there."

Clarkson has history when it comes to Argentina, as the Top Gear production team once had to leave the country while filming a special episode because Clarkson's car featured a number plate that referenced the Falklands War.

The BBC and Clarkson maintained that the number plate was coincidental and had been registered on the car since the 1990s, and said they only became aware of the connection once filming got underway.

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Franco Colapinto’s manager’s statement

Now, following Clarkson’s comments, Colapinto’s manager has taken to X, formerly Twitter, to criticise the Who Wants To Be A Millionaire host.

The joke has not been received well by Jamie Campbell-Walter, founder of Bullet Sports Management, which represents Colapinto.

He wrote: “Jeremy Clarkson’s comments about Franco’s nationality were completely unacceptable. There is no place for remarks like this in Formula 1, regardless of who makes them or whether they are intended as a joke.

“We have worked hard to promote respect and put an end to hostility and abuse. That respect must go both ways. We cannot ask anyone to behave responsibly while accepting comments like these from prominent figures visiting our sport.

“Franco and his supporters deserve better than this. Let’s not allow this to undo the progress we’ve made and rise above malicious comments.”