Colapinto robbed of passport and clothes in Milan during F1 summer break

Alpine’s Franco Colapinto had his wallet, passport, clothing and personal belongings stolen from his car in Milan during the Formula 1 summer break, the 23-year-old Argentine has revealed in an interview with ESPN.

Colapinto first disclosed the theft via Instagram on 6 August but has now given a full account of the ordeal. He had left his belongings in his personal car while eating at a favourite Italian restaurant in the city, only to return and find the vehicle completely cleared out.

“They stole everything from me,” he said. “I wish they had only stolen the mate. Everything. My wallet, passport. All my clothes. A complete disaster. I was left with nothing. In Milan. I left everything in the car. I went to eat at an Italian restaurant that I really like. The best carbonara. And then, when I came back, there was nothing left inside. Nothing.”

After filing a police report, Colapinto made his way back to his base in Monaco — only to receive a call from an Italian number shortly after arriving. Police had recovered his wallet and documents, prompting an immediate return trip to Milan.

“I get to Monaco and I got a call,” he explained. “They tell me, ‘We found your wallet with your documents.’ I went back to Milan. We picked everything up. I drove 1,200 kilometres in one day. I’ve never spent so much money on gas in my life.”

Not everything was recovered, however. Among the items still missing was a mate gourd and thermos that Colapinto says belonged to Lionel Messi — a loss he appeared to feel most keenly.

“I don’t know what they did with the mate and the thermos. Messi’s thermos. The mate tasted amazing. I loved that mate. It was the worst day of my life. A total tragedy!” he laughed.

Despite the chaotic break, Colapinto heads into the second half of the season sitting 12th in the drivers’ championship with 19 points.