The Argentine pilot Franco Colapinto He was involved in an accident during the first free practice session of the Azerbaijan Grand Prixbut managed to compete in the second race and improved his time, finishing fourteenth.
Colapinto lost control of his Williams FW46 upon reaching turn four of the street layout of Baku and hit the left side of the car, causing considerable damage. The session was immediately stopped with a red flag to allow the car to be removed from the track. Colapinto.
“I’m sorry, guys”said the 21-year-old driver, who is in his second weekend as a starter. Williams after debuting two weeks ago in the Italian Grand Prix.
This incident marked the third red flag of the practice in Azerbaijansince, the French Charles Leclerc had had a hit with the wall at turn 15 with his Ferrari and previously the session was stopped due to a piece of metal that was on the circuit.
“A positive day. Obviously I think the heroes of the day are the mechanics, who did an incredible job to get the car back to full in FP2, they didn’t have lunch, they were flat out all day. So, I’m super grateful to them who made it possible for me to have more experience on the circuit, to be able to complete the session in FP2.”declared the Argentine pilot.
“A small mistake, it was really small, but I think that even the one in Monza in qualifying was bigger than this one, but here it is unforgiving”he added Colapinto in dialogue with ESPN.
After the team members Williams They managed to repair the damage caused to the Argentine’s car, Colapinto He was able to compete in the second free practice and improved his image after finish fourteenthjust one hundredth of Albon.
The Pilar native finished 1.265 seconds behind Leclercwho took first place with a time of 1:43.484. Behind the driver of Ferrari the Mexican remained Sergio “Checo” Perez and the British Lewis Hamilton completing the podium.
“It was a shame, obviously, because the car had broken down, but that’s over now. I think we had a very positive FP2. I was improving quite a bit on my second lap, until I touched the wall a little bit at the castle, on the way back.”he said Colapinto on the crash in the first free practice.
“I’m still gaining rhythm and confidence, little by little. That confidence you need on a street circuit comes little by little and when you hit the wall it goes away, quickly. So you have to go back little by little.”added the Argentine about the risks of this street circuit.
Franco Colapinto’s second round this Friday in Baku:
Source: Ambito
