Alpine fined €5,000 for tyre logging slip after wet FP3 in Las Vegas
A small box left unticked has cost Alpine €5,000 in Las Vegas. The team physically returned a set of intermediate tyres after FP3 was declared wet but failed to log the handover electronically — a required step under the FIA’s procedures — and the stewards issued a fine for the lapse on Saturday night.
The breach was flagged by FIA technical delegate Jo Bauer, prompting a routine investigation. In their verdict, the stewards said they heard from Alpine’s representative for Car 43, Franco Colapinto, and reminded the team that “although the tyres were returned physically there is still a responsibility to electronically lodge their return with the FIA and this was not done.”
It’s a paperwork penalty in the purest sense. Under the regulations, when a practice session is declared wet, teams must return one set of intermediates within two hours of the session ending. Alpine did the physical bit. The electronic handshake never happened.
It prolongs a frustrating weekend for Colapinto, who qualified 15th in the rain-affected session while teammate Pierre Gasly reached Q3. The Argentine is still hunting his first points for Alpine since stepping in for Jack Doohan ahead of May’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. Las Vegas hasn’t exactly been kind to him either; this is the same venue where he suffered a 50G crash last year during his Williams stint. Different team, same circuit, still no easy nights.
In truth, the fine won’t blow a hole in Alpine’s budget, but it’s one of those needless own goals teams absolutely loathe — and a reminder that, on wet weekends, the admin load ramps up just as quickly as the risk level.
Mercedes cleared after setup-sheet scare
The stewards were busy elsewhere too. Mercedes found itself under investigation over a separate procedural hiccup after failing to provide setup sheets for both George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli in time for qualifying.
On this one, the Brackley crew had receipts. Mercedes proved the documents were sent to the correct FIA department, only to be tripped by an IT security issue that delayed their arrival beyond the deadline. With intent and process satisfied, the FIA took no further action. Russell keeps fourth on the grid, Antonelli stays 17th.
It’s the sort of glitch that would have had a few pulses spiking on the pit wall. In a season where Antonelli continues his learning curve alongside a resurgent Russell, paperwork was the last thing Toto Wolff’s team needed to worry about on a damp Saturday.
Sainz investigated, no penalty
There was also a close call for Carlos Sainz. The Williams driver was looked at for allegedly rejoining the circuit unsafely after a brief off at Turn 5 early in qualifying, a moment that ended up uncomfortably close to Lance Stroll’s Aston Martin. After review, the stewards opted for no further action. Sainz will start third, tucked in behind polesitter Lando Norris and Max Verstappen.
That top three sets an intriguing tone for Sunday under the lights: Norris sharp in the wet, Verstappen habitually dangerous in any conditions, Sainz enjoying clearer air than he’s often had this season. Behind them, Russell has a chance to pounce, while Alpine would take any break going as Colapinto searches for a clean run and Gasly aims to convert Q3 into points.
As for Alpine’s fine, it won’t define their weekend, but it does underline the modern F1 truth: there’s racing, and then there’s everything wrapped around it. In Las Vegas, both can bite.
