Lawson Praises Colapinto’s “Very Impressive” Save at Australian Grand Prix
Liam Lawson has lauded Franco Colapinto’s quick thinking and reflexes at the start of the Australian Grand Prix, acknowledging the Alpine driver potentially averted a major collision. Lawson’s car experienced a loss of power as the race began, leaving him stationary on the grid and creating a perilous situation as the rest of the field accelerated.
A Near Miss at 200km/h
Colapinto, starting from 16th, was rapidly closing on Lawson’s slow-moving Racing Bulls. Faced with an impending impact, Colapinto skillfully maneuvered to the right, threading his car through the narrow gap between Lawson and the pit wall. The incident, captured on camera, drew gasps from fellow drivers watching replays in the cool-down room.
“It was very impressive from his side to avoid it,” Lawson stated after reviewing the footage in Shanghai. “He had very good reactions and I was very lucky. I honestly at that point had braced already in the car because I was looking in my mirror and I saw his car on my left when he was close to me and I was sure he was going to hit me and then all of a sudden he came by me on the right.”
New Power Unit Rules and Start Concerns
The near-miss highlighted concerns surrounding the new power unit regulations introduced this season. The removal of the MGU-H has made it more challenging for drivers to achieve optimal turbo spool-up during starts, contributing to the slow getaways experienced by several competitors, including Lawson.
Lawson admitted the incident cost him valuable track position, dropping him from eighth to 18th. He emphasized the need for improvements to ensure consistent and safe race starts. “At the moment This proves quite dangerous, but in terms of the decision-making, we’re not part of that, so we’ll obviously give our opinions on what we’re feeling inside the car but it’s up to the FIA. If they want to change something, then they will.”
Drivers React to the Dramatic Start
The dramatic start to the Australian Grand Prix prompted reactions from other drivers, including Charles Leclerc and George Russell, who were visibly shocked when viewing the replay. The incident underscored the potential for chaos and the importance of driver skill in navigating unpredictable race scenarios.
Colapinto himself described the situation as “very dangerous” and “sketchy,” expressing relief at avoiding a collision. He noted that the onboard footage revealed the near-miss was even closer than he initially perceived.
The Future of F1 Starts: A Need for Consistency?
The Australian Grand Prix incident has reignited the debate surrounding the safety and consistency of Formula 1 race starts. While the FIA is responsible for addressing any technical issues, drivers are keen to provide feedback based on their experiences in the cockpit. The goal is to minimize the risk of similar incidents and ensure a fair and safe start for all competitors.
FAQ
Q: What caused Liam Lawson’s slow start?
A: Lawson experienced a loss of power as the race began, causing his car to slow significantly on the grid.
Q: How did Franco Colapinto avoid a collision?
A: Colapinto quickly swerved to the right, maneuvering his car through a narrow gap between Lawson’s car and the pit wall.
Q: What changes are being considered to improve race starts?
A: Drivers are providing feedback to the FIA regarding the new power unit regulations and their impact on race starts. The FIA will evaluate potential adjustments to enhance safety and consistency.
