The 2024 Formula 1 São Paulo Grand Prix was, in the words of Williams Team Principal James Vowles, one of the “lowest moments” you can feel in the sport.
Franco Colapinto cleared for Las Vegas Grand Prix after massive crash in qualifying
Williams F1 driver Franco Colapinto’s hard crash in qualifying put his status for the Las Vegas Grand Prix in doubt
Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images
Mark Schofield is a former college quarterback and attorney covering the NFL and F1.
Both Alexander Albon and Franco Colapinto suffered hard crashes in qualifying, which was moved to Sunday ahead of the race itself due to wet conditions in São Paulo. While Albon’s shunt in Q3 prevented him from starting the race, the team got Colapinto’s FW46 ready in time to start the race.
But Colapinto crashed again in the wet conditions, forcing the team to work long into the nights back at their Grove factory to get both cars rebuilt for this weekend’s Las Vegas Grand Prix. The team even shared an incredible video of the work they put in to rebuild both vehicles, a not-too-subtle reply to rumors that they would be unable to field both cars in Las Vegas.
However, while both Albon and Colapinto were able to start the week in Las Vegas, there is doubt whether both drivers will take to the grid for the Las Vegas Grand Prix on Saturday night. Colapinto is recovering after a massive shunt during qualifying, as he clipped an inside barrier before careening into the outer protective fence:
Colapinto was able to climb out of the FW46 after reporting that he was ok, and Vowles provided a video update shortly afterward indicating that the priority was Colapinto’s health:
Vowles also noted that the impact was “over 50G,” and that the driver would need to be reevaluated on Saturday to be cleared to race.
The team also released this brief statement early Saturday morning”
“During Qualifying Franco sustained a significant impact of over 50G, requiring a medical check up. An impact of this magnitude is obviously significant and severe and he will need to be evaluated again tomorrow before we will know whether he is clear to race. Franco’s health is all that matters and we are glad he is otherwise okay. We will provide further updates when we can.”
Thankfully Colapinto was released from the medical center, and here is hoping he can take to the grid on Saturday night in Las Vegas.
Update: The team announced late Saturday night that Colapinto has been cleared to race:
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