Alpine Provides Medical Update on Franco Colapinto After Heavy Sprint Crash

Alpine has provided an update on Franco Colapinto after the Argentinian driver was involved in a heavy crash during the Brazilian Grand Prix Sprint race. Colapinto, along with Oscar Piastri and Nico Hulkenberg, encountered significant water on the inside of Turn 3 on Lap 7, leading to an uncontrollable impact with the barrier and a necessary red flag.

Why it matters:

This incident highlights the treacherous conditions drivers faced during the Brazilian Sprint and underscores the inherent dangers of motorsport, even for seasoned professionals. While all three drivers walked away, Colapinto's car sustained substantial damage, emphasizing the fine line between pushing limits and potential catastrophe in wet conditions.

The Details:

• The Incident: On Lap 7 of the Brazilian Grand Prix Sprint, Franco Colapinto's Alpine crashed heavily at Turn 3. This occurred moments after Oscar Piastri and Nico Hulkenberg also lost control at the same location.
• Cause of Crash: All three drivers took too much kerb on the inside of Turn 3, which was holding a significant amount of water due to substantial overnight rain.
• Colapinto's Impact: After hitting the wet kerb, Colapinto's car became a passenger, veering into the barrier. His impact was the most severe of the three, resulting in major damage to his Alpine.
• Red Flag: The severity of the crash and the need for barrier repair and car recovery led to a red flag during the Sprint.
• Medical Check-up: Following the incident, Colapinto was taken to the medical center for precautionary checks, standard procedure after high-impact incidents.

Reactions:

Alpine issued a swift medical update, confirming Colapinto's condition. Their statement read: "Franco was taken to the medical centre after the incident at Turn 3 for precautionary checks. He is ok and has been released by the doctors." This quick confirmation reassured fans about the driver's safety.

What's next:

While Colapinto is confirmed to be okay, the focus will now shift to assessing the damage to his Alpine and ensuring the team can prepare for any upcoming sessions. The incident serves as a stark reminder for all teams and drivers to exercise extreme caution when track conditions are compromised by weather, especially on critical corners.