Jeremy Clarkson has sparked controversy after making provocative comments about Alpine driver Franco Colapinto and celebrity Kim Kardashian during a chaotic interview with Sky Sports F1 ahead of qualifying for the 2026 United States Grand Prix in Austin.
The former Top Gear presenter joked about Colapinto’s grid penalty and questioned why so much attention was devoted to celebrities attending Formula 1 races.
Clarkson takes aim at Colapinto over Austin grid penalty
Clarkson appeared on the Sky Sports F1 broadcast alongside Martin Brundle, Naomi Schiff and Simon Lazenby at the Circuit of the Americas. Attending the weekend as an Alpine guest, the 66-year-old quickly found himself at the centre of a heated exchange when asked about the team’s prospects.
The British television presenter, best known for Top Gear and Clarkson’s Farm, has a longstanding connection with Alpine. The team’s Enstone headquarters are located close to his Diddly Squat farm in Oxfordshire, giving him a personal connection to the organisation.
However, his comments about Alpine driver Franco Colapinto proved more contentious.
The Argentine has received a ten-place grid penalty in Austin after exceeding his permitted allocation of engine components for the season. Clarkson used the penalty to make a pointed joke about the driver’s nationality, referencing an earlier controversy involving Argentina.
“Franco got a grid penalty because he is Argentine. Well, I would give him one for that too. But anyway, that is just because of what happened when we were there.”
The remark referred to the infamous 2014 Top Gear special filmed in Argentina, when Clarkson and his colleagues were forced to abandon their journey following protests over a Porsche’s registration plate.
The number plate, H982 FKL, was interpreted by some locals as a reference to the 1982 Falklands War. Clarkson maintained that the registration was an extraordinary coincidence, but the incident developed into a major controversy at the time.
His reference to the episode brought an uncomfortable historical dispute into an otherwise routine discussion about Alpine’s weekend.
Alpine publicly backs Colapinto after the comments
Alpine responded to the interview by issuing a statement supporting its driver. Although the team did not name Clarkson directly, its message made clear where it stood.
“We at Alpine are aware of the comments made by a teammate in a recent television interview in Austin. Franco is our driver and has our full support.”
The statement was a clear show of support for Colapinto as the team sought to distance itself from the remarks.
Clarkson also spoke warmly about his relationship with Alpine, describing the organisation as a local team with which he feels a strong personal connection.
“Since Michael was there, then Fernando, and then all those years with Kimi Räikkönen, and now with Pierre. Because they are our local team. The woman who takes care of my rabbits on the farm, her father works for Alpine. So you feel part of a family with them.”
His comments referenced the team’s history with drivers including Michael Schumacher, Fernando Alonso and Kimi Räikkönen, as well as its current association with Pierre Gasly.
Clarkson questions celebrity interest in Formula 1
The interview then moved towards the growing presence of celebrities at Formula 1 events, a subject on which Clarkson was considerably less enthusiastic.
The presenter questioned whether some famous visitors understood the sport they were attending, contrasting their appearances with the technical knowledge and racing history that interest dedicated F1 followers.
“I love how you are confronted with people who literally have no idea why they are here.”
Clarkson expanded on the point by recalling Eddie Irvine’s performance at the 1999 Canadian Grand Prix, using the race as an example of the detailed historical conversations that make Formula 1 interesting to him.
“You know, I was talking this morning about Eddie Irvine in Canada in ’99 under the red flag and how he got back on the podium after he had dropped back. And you think, most of the people you have to interview barely know what a car is. So I find it funny to see you guys doing that. Sorry.”
The comments amounted to a pointed criticism of the celebrity-focused interviews that have become increasingly common on the F1 grid.
Kim Kardashian criticism adds to the controversy
Clarkson also addressed the attention surrounding Kim Kardashian, who has attracted considerable interest during recent Formula 1 appearances.
The American reality television star was previously involved in an awkward moment with Martin Brundle at the Monaco Grand Prix, when she did not engage with him during his customary grid walk. Her subsequent appearance in Singapore also attracted attention.
Clarkson said he had not been watching when Kardashian eventually spoke with Brundle, making clear that celebrity appearances were not what brought him to a Grand Prix.
“Because, to be honest, I’m not really interested in Kim Kardashian. Why would I be interested in Kim Kardashian? I’m here to watch Formula 1, not Kim Kardashian. All the cameras go, ‘Oh, Kim Kardashian is here!’ Why would I care?”
The remarks reflect a familiar divide within Formula 1 between fans who welcome the sport’s growing mainstream visibility and those who believe racing should remain the main attraction.
Clarkson’s comments have now placed Alpine in the position of publicly defending Colapinto while the presenter himself has questioned the sport’s celebrity culture. His appearance in Austin was intended to highlight his connection with the team, but his remarks ensured that the interview became a talking point beyond the circuit.
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