Alex Albon has retracted his initial view on the “divebomb” manoeuvre that Williams team-mate Franco Colapinto made in the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix.
The Anglo-Thai driver, starting one place ahead of Colapinto on the grid in 11th place, was initially outraged at the Argentine.
“Franco just divebombed,” Albon exclaimed over the radio at lights out. “What’s he doing?”
Indeed, at the start of the Singapore GP, Colapinto surged up the inside of Turn 1, going from 12th to ninth as Albon was caught on the outside, dropping to 15th.
“I don’t know how it looked on the outside, but I think it was more just that no one could turn into the corner,” Albon said post-race.
“So, everyone concertinaed and basically had to go straight at turn one. I was on the outside and I paid the price.
“I mean nothing really to criticise. It was just a bit unfortunate I was the one on the other side of the corner.”
Albon added that “it was a bit frustrating,” explaining further that “the whole weekend has been a bit frustrating,” feeling he had a car capable of qualifying in the top 10.
Sainz critiques Colapinto manoeuvre
Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz was another driver who got caught out by Colapinto’s Lap 1, Turn 1 manoeuvre.
The Spaniard had to go to the run-off and found himself in 12th place.
Sainz argued caution prevailed as he qualified out of position in 10th, surrounded by midfield teams scrapping hard for positions.
“A Williams came up the inside, braking very late,” Sainz told DAZN.
“I think it was Franco who almost took two or three of us out in front. Nothing, absolutely nothing happened, there was no accident, but when you are fighting for the constructors’ championship with the team, you have to be a bit more careful with cars that have less to lose and that have their lives at stake at the start.”
Colapinto seized his opportunity over Albon
Colapinto has impressed since making his Williams F1 debut at Monza.
In Italy, he raced from 18th on the grid to 12th and then claimed his maiden points next time out at Baku.
The Argentine qualified within 0.007s of his team-mate last Saturday in Singapore and saw no issue with his Lap 1 pass.
“There was a space, and I went inside in the corner,” Colapinto explained post-race.
“There was no one on my right, and I left space on the right to the white line, and there was no one there.
“So, I don’t know. I didn’t see the replay yet.”
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