Reversing his initial criticism of Franco Colapinto’s first-corner maneuver during the Singapore Grand Prix, Alex Albon stated that the concertina effect prevented multiple drivers from turning in.
Albon began the race in 11th place, with his Williams teammate following in 12th. However, after a cautious start, Colapinto ducked inside and overtook Albon, Yuki Tsunoda, and Carlos Sainz to take P9; Albon was forced to use the escape road and lost numerous positions.
“There’s really nothing to criticize” about Franco Colapinto’s Singaporean debut, says Alex Albon
Using the team radio, Albon addressed the pit wall during a fierce struggle, saying, “Franco just divebombed! “What is he doing?!?” was the initial reaction from Carlos Sainz, who also fell in the process and gave a similar assessment of the play.
Albon would finish the race as the first retiree, but his evening at Marina Bay would come to an early end due to a cooling problem with his Williams.
However, when analyzing the beginning video, he concluded that more than Colapinto’s bold move itself, what was causing problems for others was the motion’s ripple effect.
“I looked at it. After the race, Albon told reporters in Singapore, “I don’t know how it looked on the outside, but I think it was more just no one could turn into the corner.”
As a result, everyone sort of coordinated and I had to go straight to Turn 1. Since I was outside, I had to pay the price.
“It’s unfortunate that I was the one on the opposite side of the corner, but other than that, I don’t really have anything to criticize. Thus, a little annoying.
“We had a car that should have been in the top 10, and we didn’t have that, so I think the entire weekend has been a little frustrating.”
“The problem is basically I couldn’t turn left because Carlos couldn’t turn left, because Yuki couldn’t turn left,” the Williams driver said in response to a question about what caused his difficulties at the first curve as a result of Colapinto’s maneuver. Thus, I believe it was only one of them. Nothing grave.
Following his first-place result in Baku the last time out, the Argentine would go on to cross the finish line in eleventh place at the flag.