Franco Colapinto faced a significant obstacle during the Spanish Grand Prix qualifiers, seeing his session come to an unexpected halt at the Barcelona circuit.
Amidst the high stakes and roaring engines, Colapinto’s race took a turn when his car stalled, refusing to shift into first gear just as he was set for another lap. The clock ticked down with him stuck in neutral, unable to join his competitors on the track. As he relayed to his team, “Something is wrong. I release fully the clutch, and I’m still in neutral. It’s not going into first gear,” it was clear that the session was over for the Argentine driver.
While his rivals advanced, Colapinto found himself slipping to 19th place. Post-qualifying, he expressed his disappointment to the press, “I don’t really know what the issue was. It’s a pity. We had good pace in the car and were looking strong.” Despite the setback, he maintained optimism about his car’s performance, “We found a lot of performance in the car. We just need to focus on tomorrow.”
Fortunately for Colapinto, Alpine identified the issue as a driveline problem. In a swift move, they replaced his gearbox with an identical spec, averting a pit lane start. This adjustment enabled Colapinto to start the race from 18th on the grid, further aided by Lance Stroll’s withdrawal due to wrist issues.
Looking ahead, Colapinto aims to capitalize on this unexpected race position. The pressure is on to prove his skill and secure his future in F1, as emphasized by Flavio Briatore’s comments at the FIA press conference. Briatore candidly stated, “If Colapinto is performing, he’s driving the car. If not, we’ll see.” This race might be pivotal for Colapinto who is eager to make a lasting impression and cement his role in the team.
Despite initial setbacks, Colapinto remains determined to make his mark in the Spanish Grand Prix. His drive and the team’s swift actions have set the stage for what could be a career-defining race.
