Williams driver Franco Colapinto made a significant impact during the Singapore Grand Prix. Not only did he finish ahead of his teammate Alexander Albon, who had to retire due to the heat, but he also had a sensational start. The 21-year-old rookie quickly advanced several positions thanks to a daring overtaking maneuver. However, not everyone appreciated this ‘banzai’ move.
“Franco (Colapinto) is making a divebomb! What is he doing?” was the reaction over Alexander Albon’s radio on Sunday. The British-Thai driver had to watch as his new teammate spectacularly gained several positions at the start. “Nobody could turn into the corner because of him,” Albon explained afterwards. “I was on the outside, so I ended up being the victim of this action.”
Carlos Sainz was also unimpressed by the overtaking maneuver. “I had to be very careful at the start,” the Spaniard said after the race. “A Williams came up the inside with a kind of banzai action. I believe it was Franco (Colapinto). He almost pushed two or three cars off the track. That’s the kind of risk you take as a rookie, but I almost lost my entire race.”
‘It Was Just a Good Start’
“I don’t understand,” Franco Colapinto responded when asked about the complaints later. “I only saw Tsunoda next to me. There was enough space, so I decided to go into the corner on the inside. I saw a gap and I went for it – it was just a good start. It clearly paid off. All in all, it was a good first race in Singapore. It was very tough due to the heat and humidity, but I made it through.”
Outside the grid, there is also enthusiasm about Colapinto’s action. Formula 1 analyst Will Buxton refers to it as a ‘magical maneuver’ on social media. “He slams on the brakes and hits the apex with only his left front wheel locking up a bit,” Buxton observed. “The car breaks out in turn 2, but he keeps his foot on the gas. Wow!”
