Williams‘ Franco Colapinto rued “mistakes” made by the team that cost him a points finish in the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix.
The Argentine, in just his third GP start, boldly dove up the inside of his rivals at Turn 1 when the lights went out in the Singapore GP.
That allowed Colapinto to leap from 12th on the grid to ninth and engage in a lengthy defensive effort against 10th-placed Sergio Perez.
Perez, pitting on Lap 28, was able to undercut Colapinto with the Williams driver pitting on Lap 31 and finishing 11th after the Lap 14-stopping Carlos Sainz undercut both drivers.
“It’s a bit difficult not to finish in the points after a good effort, but it is what it is,” Colapinto said post-race.
“It was a decent race but of course, we made some mistakes that didn’t let us finish in the points.
“We need to be perfect and we were not perfect and I think that is why we weren’t in the points.
“By stopping a lap too late, we lost a place.
“It is what it is, and we win and lose together as a team.
“Tyre management was good throughout the race, but I was struggling a bit physically which was more of a limiting factor.
“Overall, P11 was still a decent result, and it was a very positive race to build on what I’ve learned so far.”
James Vowles ‘incredibly proud’ of Franco Colapinto
Williams Team Principal James Vowles was quick to heap further praise on Academy prospect Colapinto, who has turned heads in his three F1 outings so far.
Speaking to Sky Sports F1 pit-lane reporter Ted Kravitz, Vowles said “this weekend, [Colapinto] did everything that he should have done within his power.
“Actually, it’s on us as to why we haven’t scored points.
“From Franco’s perspective, incredibly proud of what he’s doing and there’s more to come.”
Colapinto’s physical discomfort was attributed to stomach pains late on in the race.
Vowles cleared up that the issue was only temporary and that his Williams protege recovered quickly.
“It’s a tough race,” Vowles admitted.
“He’s a little bit dehydrated and I think that’s what caused it, but he’s good. He’s back up on his feet and happy and smiling.”
Speaking on the tough conditions, Colapinto said “it is really tough, really humid and hot.
“It’s difficult you have no time to rest, there’s no straights, you’re always turning and there is no second to take a break.”
The results show Colapinto handled the tough Singapore conditions well enough.
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