Jeremy Clarkson avoided TV cameras on the grid of the United States Grand Prix after a comment about Franco Colapinto sparked outrage. Speaking to Sky Sports in the Formula One paddock earlier in the weekend, Clarkson joked that Colapinto was serving a grid penalty in Austin "because he is Argentinian", adding that he would penalise the 23-year-old for his nationality.
Backlash and Response
Although intended as a joke, the comment drew criticism in Argentina after a clip of the interview went viral on social media. Many Argentinians accused Clarkson of being "xenophobic". While Colapinto did not initially respond personally, the head of the company managing his career expressed displeasure.
"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," Bullet Sports Management director Jamie Campbell-Walter wrote on X. "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."
Campbell-Walter added: "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."
Alpine Distances Itself
Clarkson was in Austin as a guest of the Alpine team, for which Colapinto drives. Alpine issued a statement distancing themselves from Clarkson's comment, stating that his "personal views do not align with the team's values of promoting kindness and respect".
Amid the uproar, Clarkson did not step in front of a TV microphone for the rest of the weekend. He was encountered by Martin Brundle during his grid walk shortly before the start of Sunday's race but did not speak. Instead, his friend of decades Andy Wilman, the former producer of Top Gear and The Grand Tour, gave a brief interview to Brundle revealing that Clarkson would not be speaking, as he had been put under a 'no talking' ban on race day.
Colapinto's First Comments
Colapinto was quizzed for the first time about the matter after the race, which he did not finish because of damage picked up when he collided with the Racing Bulls of Arvid Lindblad. He made it clear he did not know Clarkson personally and that the comment had nothing directly to do with him.
The Argentine racer said: "Of course, it's nothing to do with the team. [Clarkson] just did an interview on his own, it's nothing related to the team. I think he's always been kind of jokey. I don't really know him, but they told me."
He added: "I didn't see too much of what he said, but [his manager] Jamie put something on social media, I guess. Yeah, we just try to focus on ourselves. I try to improve the situation, of course, but it kind of needs help from a lot of people, not just from me."
