In a heart-stopping turn of events at the Austrian Grand Prix, Franco Colapinto finds himself in hot water after a dramatic clash with Oscar Piastri. The Alpine rookie has broken his silence, claiming he never meant to push Piastri off track, citing a blind spot as the cause of the high-profile incident that sent shockwaves through the racing world.
Colapinto confessed to the press, “I just didn’t see him. He was in my blind spot, and I was focused on Tsunoda. I really wanted to get past.” This split-second decision on Lap 55, while battling with Yuki Tsunoda, led to a chain reaction that resulted in Piastri being forced onto the grass, prompting a thorough investigation by the race stewards.
The consequences were severe for Colapinto, as he was slapped with a five-second penalty, plummeting him to 15th place in the final standings. This penalty cast a shadow over what was already a challenging day for the Alpine team, compounding their woes at the Red Bull Ring.
The clash with Piastri was just one piece of a vexing puzzle for Colapinto, who had already endured setbacks earlier in the race, including damage from an encounter with Tsunoda. Reflecting on the tumultuous race, Colapinto lamented, “I think we struggled with the car. It didn’t really work for us well today as a team.”
Despite the setbacks, Colapinto remains optimistic about his future with Alpine, expressing confidence in the support of team boss Flavio Briatore. However, the penalty serves as a stark reminder of the perils of midfield battles on fast circuits like the Red Bull Ring, where a momentary lapse in judgment can have far-reaching implications.
As the dust settles on the Austrian Grand Prix, both Colapinto and Piastri will be looking to regroup and refocus on the championship battle ahead. With their clash reverberating throughout the paddock, the stakes have never been higher as the season unfolds.