Franco Colpainto cleared for Las Vegas GP with pit lane start

Williams Racing’s Franco Colapinto has been cleared and deemed fit to race in the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix after enduring a 50G crash in Qualifying yesterday. 

Feature image credit: Red Bull Content Pool

Colpainto was sent to the medical centre after qualifying for the Las Vegas GP yesterday for evaluations when the Argentine suffered a heavy shunt in Q2, ending any chance of promotion to the top 10 shoot-out.  

The Argentinian turned off at the Las Vegas strip to race towards the start-finish straight but he clipped the outside barrier at turn 15 which bounced him into the opposing barrier towards the final corner. 

The heavy shunt saw his car being completely wrecked with only one tyre still attached to his FW46. Following the evaluation, Williams confirmed Colapinto would need to be re-evaluated ahead of the event to be sure he can race in the event. 

Following the evaluation by the FIA medical team, Colapinto has been cleared fit to race in Las Vegas but as the team has completed some set-up changes, he will start from the pit lane. 

Team statement – Franco to race in Las Vegas
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. Franco’s health is our main… pic.twitter.com/WDP2Yc2ZOz

— Williams Racing (@WilliamsRacing) November 23, 2024

In a statement, released by the team on social media, Williams Racing 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. 

“Franco’s health is our main priority, and we are relieved that he is well enough to race following such a significant incident. We thank the medical staff for prioritising Franco’s health and wellbeing and for the excellent care he received.

“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. We have taken the opportunity to make some set-up changes during the repair and, as a result, Franco will start the race from the pitlane.

“We are looking forward to going racing under the lights tonight.”

This means both Williams cars will compete today when the lights go out in the state of Nevada. With Colapinto starting from the pit lane, teammate Alexander Albon will start the race in 18th on the grid.

Read more Formula 1 here:

• Williams release statement after Franco Colapinto Las Vegas GP crash
• Russell pips Sainz and Gasly to Las Vegas GP pole position
• Russell completes Mercedes hat-trick with fastest lap in Las Vegas GP FP3
• Lewis Hamilton fastest across the opening day in Las Vegas GP
• Hamilton tops first practice of Las Vegas GP ahead of Russell
• Who is bringing special liveries to F1 Las Vegas GP?

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Kamron Kent

Hi, I’m Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion.

I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I’ve loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.

Kamron Kent

Hi, I'm Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion. I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I've loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.