James Vowles defends Colapinto after Singapore start / Formula 1

Williams team boss James Vowles has defended his driver Franco Colapinto for his spectacular start at the Singapore Grand Prix, which was criticized by other drivers.

The Argentine rookie made a move to the inside after the start, which caused several cars to end up far to the outside and lose places in the first corners.

His own team-mate Alex Albon claimed on the team radio that the youngster had “divebombed” him. After the checkered flag, Carlos Sainz described the action as a “banzai maneuver,” a term used by American soldiers in World War II to describe assaults by Japanese troops.

With the maneuver, Colapinto gained three places and was initially in ninth place, although he ended up outside the points in eleventh place. His teammate Albon, meanwhile, retired early due to a cooling problem.

Team boss Vowles: “We have Alex at the front of the field, who is falling back because of the start.” He was not sure what was going on with the two Ferraris and Franco, and what was happening.

The Briton: “Franco stayed on his line, but I fully understand why Alex did that and he lost too many positions at that point.”

But Vowles insisted that Colapinto had the FW46 under control at the first corner.

Vowles: “The start of the race is not something you can plan in advance. You have to react to the conditions around you. Both Ferrari and Alex reacted to what they thought was a lock-up from Franco. It wasn’t. It was dust kicked up on the way up the inside. He actually had the car under control, left space at the apex and was able to put the car where he needed it.”

Vowles: “So you’re looking for a car that’s out of control.” And Franco wasn’t. He was completely in control of what he was doing. He didn’t really intend to beat the Ferraris. He wanted to overtake Tsunoda’s Racing Bull, which was right in front of him, because he knew it was going to be our race for points.”

Regarding the criticism, he said: “I can understand why others talk like that.” I especially spoke to Alex afterwards because from their point of view they only look a little in their rear-view mirror, where they are unsure whether a big accident is imminent. I hope that others can now see in hindsight, especially from top to bottom, that Franco had the car very well under control and positioned it where he needed to in order to gain places.”

Singapore GP, Marina Bay Street Circuit

01. Lando Norris (GB), McLaren, 1:40:52.571 hours.
02. Max Verstappen (NL), Red Bull Racing, +20.945 seconds.
03. Oscar Piastri (AUS), McLaren, +41,823
04. George Russell (GB), Mercedes, +1:01.040 min
05. Charles Leclerc (MC), Ferrari, +1:02.430
06. Lewis Hamilton (GB), Mercedes, +1:25.248
07. Carlos Sainz (E), Ferrari, +1:36.039
08. Fernando Alonso (E), Aston Martin, +1 lap
09. Nico Hülkenberg (D), Haas, +1 lap
10. Sergio Pérez (MEX), Red Bull Racing, +1 lap
11. Franco Colapinto (AR), Williams, +1 lap
12. Yuki Tsunoda (J), Racing Bulls, +1 lap
13. Esteban Ocon (F), Alpine, +1 lap
14. Lance Stroll (CDN), Aston Martin, +1 lap
15. Guanyu Zhou (RCH), Clean, +1 lap
16. Valtteri Bottas (FIN), Sauber, +1 lap
17. Pierre Gasly (F), Alpine, +1 lap
18. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS), Racing Bulls, +1 lap
Out of
Kevin Magnussen (DK), Haas
Alex Albon (T), Williams

World Championship standings (after 18 of 24 Grands Prix and 3 of 6 sprints)

driver
01. Verstappen 331 points
02. Norris279
03. Leclerc245
04. Piastri 237
05. Sainz190
06. Hamilton174
07. Russell155
08. Perez 144
09.Alonso62
10. Hulkenberg 24
11. Walk 24
12. Tsunoda22
13. Albon12
14. Ricciardo12
15. Gasly 8
16. Oliver Bearman (GB) 7
17. Magnussens 6
18. Ocon 5
19. Colapinto 4
20. Zhou-0
21. Sargeant (USA) 0
22. Bottas-0

Constructors’ Cup
01. McLaren 516 points
02. Red Bull Racing 475
03. Ferrari 441
04. Mercedes-Benz 329
05. Aston-Martin 86
06. Racing Bulls 34
07. Haas-31
09. Williams 16
08. Alpine 13
10. Clean 0