Video: Franco Colapinto crashes violently in Las Vegas during qualifying
Just before the end of the second part of the qualifications taking place this morning in France, the young Williams driver, Franco Colapinto, made a small mistake that has enormous consequences. His single-seater is destroyed.
The young F1 prodigy, the beautiful story of recent weeks, the new Senna is starting to see his stock drop. Franco Colapinto has just experienced exactly the scenario that Williams needed to avoid. The driver crashed in Q2, while the team lacks parts and is not sure to finish the season.
A violent crash
Franco Colapinto’s crash occurred at turn 17. The young Argentine driver hit well inside the turn with his front left tire and was then thrown into the opposite wall. The driver suffered a huge impact, which moved the concrete protection walls.
The driver is well. Franco Colapinto said on the radio « I’m fine » but his face looks saddened.
The crash on video
LE GROS CRASH DE COLAPINTO 😳
Le pilote va bien mais sa Williams est détruite, le départ de la Q3 sera retardé 🔴
Esteban Ocon est éliminé, Pierre Gasly passe en Q3 🇫🇷#LasVegasGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/N47KH2FuRq
— CANAL+ F1® (@CanalplusF1) November 23, 2024
Additional damage
The current issue for the English team, Williams, is to finish the season. Indeed, with the many crashes suffered in the first half of the season, notably because of Logan Sargeant but also Alex Albon, the costs related to replacing parts are much higher than expected.
The teams have a capped budget of around 150 million euros and damages are budgeted in a range that was probably higher than expected.
