P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Franco Colapinto has confirmed car gremlins for Alpine after the Argentinian spent a significant part of the first day of the F1 Bahrain test stuck in the garage.
Franco Colapinto faced car gremlins during the first day of Formula 1 Bahrain test, resulting in a significant time stuck in the garage. Despite entering his first full season with Alpine in 2026, Colapinto was unable to take full advantage of pre-season testing due to these issues. The car problems led to Colapinto being stranded on the track during the morning session, causing a halt in his testing progress. Colapinto acknowledged the need to address the gremlins in the new A526 car for the remainder of the test. Despite the challenges, Colapinto displayed a positive attitude and expressed hope for a better year ahead for Alpine. The issues were not attributed to engine partner Mercedes, with Colapinto emphasizing the team’s determination to overcome setbacks and make progress.
