Colapinto’s Crash During Qualifying
Franco Colapinto has been cleared to race in the Las Vegas Grand Prix following a terrifying crash during qualifying that left his FW46 Formula 1 car heavily damaged. The 21-year-old Argentinian driver crashed into the Turn 16 barriers after clipping the inside wall, resulting in significant damage to both corners of his car. Despite the heavy impact, Colapinto quickly confirmed that he was okay, but due to the severity of the crash—suffering an impact exceeding 50G—he was taken to the medical center for a thorough check-up.
Medical Evaluation and Clearance
After undergoing additional tests on race morning to check for concussion symptoms, Colapinto was cleared to race. Williams Racing issued a statement confirming that the young driver was ready for the race, which is scheduled to start at 10 p.m. local time. The team said, “Following Franco’s incident in Qualifying yesterday, he has undergone a thorough follow-up evaluation from the event medical team today and has been cleared to race in this evening’s Las Vegas Grand Prix.”
The team expressed relief over Colapinto’s condition, prioritizing his health. “We are relieved that he is well enough to race following such a significant incident. We thank the medical staff for prioritizing Franco’s health and wellbeing and for the excellent care he received,” the statement continued.
Car Repairs and Pit Lane Start
Despite being cleared to race, Colapinto’s car required extensive repairs following the crash. Both corners of the FW46 were destroyed, forcing Williams to break parc ferme rules to make the necessary adjustments. As a result, Colapinto will start the Las Vegas GP from the pit lane. Additionally, a new gearbox has been installed, marking Williams’ sixth gearbox of the season—exceeding the season limit of four units.
Team’s Efforts and Support
Williams Racing thanked their garage team for their hard work in repairing Colapinto’s car overnight, ensuring it was race-ready. “We are extremely thankful to our incredible garage team for their hard work overnight to repair Franco’s car and our fans and partners for their continued support,” the team said.
Set-up Changes and Season Outlook
Although Colapinto faces a setback, Williams has taken the opportunity to make setup changes during the repairs, which will be vital as he begins the race from the pit lane. The Las Vegas Grand Prix marks the start of a triple-header, including races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi. It remains to be seen how this incident will affect Williams’ spare parts pool as they aim to finish the season strong.
Grid Update
Colapinto had initially qualified 14th, while his teammate, Alex Albon, has moved up from 18th to 17th on the grid after traffic issues in Q1. The team will be hoping for a strong recovery after the challenging qualifying session and crash.
