Franco Colapinto has acknowledged that a blind spot error led to him forcing Oscar Piastri off the track during the Austrian Grand Prix on Sunday. This incident, involving the Formula 1 championship leader, occurred as Colapinto attempted to recover positions late in the race.
On lap 55, Colapinto was engaged in a battle with Yuki Tsunoda at Turn 3 when he went wide, allowing the Red Bull driver to pass inside. Meanwhile, McLaren’s Oscar Piastri was catching up to lap both drivers, but Colapinto, seeking to follow Tsunoda closely, was unaware of Piastri’s approach.
Details of On-Track Collision and Resulting Penalty
As Colapinto moved right to slipstream Tsunoda, Piastri had no available space and was pushed onto the grass, forcing him to brake suddenly to prevent further contact. Race stewards deemed Colapinto at fault for pushing Piastri off the circuit and consequently issued him a five-second penalty, which relegated him to 15th place in the final classification.
Reflecting on the incident, Colapinto admitted he failed to see Piastri approaching from behind due to focusing solely on Tsunoda. He said,
“He was in my blind spot and I was focused on Tsunoda. I really wanted to get past.”
—Franco Colapinto, Alpine Driver
Challenges Faced by Alpine During the Race
The Austrian race proved difficult for Alpine, with both Colapinto and teammate Pierre Gasly finishing outside the top 10, while rival team Sauber managed a double points finish. Earlier in the race, Colapinto was involved in a collision with Tsunoda, which resulted in damage and a setback that compromised his performance.
Colapinto reflected on the race difficulties:
“I think we struggled with the car. It didn’t really work for us well today as a team. I was gaining pace with each lap but lost a lot of time after Tsunoda crashed into me.”
He added that the front wing and floor damage made the final stint more challenging, with tyre degradation also being an issue Alpine needs to address.
Alpine’s Current Lineup and Colapinto’s Role Moving Forward
Colapinto joined Alpine as a temporary replacement for Jack Doohan with an initial contract for five races. However, team principal Flavio Briatore has since indicated that Colapinto will remain with Alpine beyond this period. When asked about concerns regarding his future with the team, Colapinto responded confidently:
“I’m not really concerned. I think he has been very supportive and he trusts [me].”
—Franco Colapinto, Alpine Driver
Significance of the Incident and Outlook
The Oscar Piastri Austrian GP incident highlights the fine margins and high pressure drivers face during close battles on track, especially when lapping slower cars. Colapinto’s admitted mistake and subsequent penalty illustrate how split-second misjudgments can significantly impact race outcomes. For Alpine, learning from this race’s challenges is crucial as they seek to improve competitiveness and consistency in upcoming events.
Colapinto’s position within Alpine looks more secure following the team principal’s backing, but continued strong performances will be necessary to maintain his role. Meanwhile, Piastri remains at the forefront of the championship battle, undeterred by the incident as he continues his campaign for the title.