06/29/2024 06:31am.Updated on 06/29/2024 10:21am.
When he passed the main straight for the penultimate time, everything indicated that it would be a Saturday of celebration for Franco Colapinto. He had done a serious race, saved tires, pushed when he had to and climbed two positions to get a sensational 5th place… but everything was ruined on the last lap: the Argentinian He spun in agony after fighting with his teammate, Dennis Hauger, and finished 11th.
That mistake at the end hurts, above all, because the MP Motorsport driver had driven a very intelligent race. When he realized that he couldn’t fight Bortoleto, who handled a missile – not for nothing did he fight to get on the podium until the checkered flag – he opened up. When they didn’t attack him, he managed. When he had a car at his mercy, as he did with Barnard, he waited for the right moment and only then did he stick his nose in. But in the end, in the agony of the sprint, Ambition came into play, not wanting to lose a valuable 5th place, and he ended up losing everything.
Colapinto was too ambitious, he pushed his limits a little and paid dearly for it.
A Hauger who had previously helped him by getting rid of Durksen – the Paraguayan was about to take the position from Franco – He went to look for it to pass it on. After the second straight, where the DRS did the job, the Norwegian went to the outside and the Argentine defended himself tooth and nail and something else: First, he closed the door and left him almost without a clue, and as he exited the curve, swept it out. Finally, his teammate recovered and continued, while Colapinto skidded on an accelerated track and spun.
“What’s the problem with him?”was Hauger’s outburst. Without further ado, the 21-year-old admitted his mistake: “My bad, we lost quite a few points because of that”And so ended a Saturday that looked great for Franco and that, like a week ago in Spain, ended in disappointment. May Sunday, also like last weekend, end in celebration: He will start 4th in the final that will start at 5.
Colapinto’s fight with his teammate in the last lap
Franco Colapinto’s F2 career summary in Austria
The final positions of the F2 sprint in Austria
- Bearman
- Martin
- Aron
- Bortoleto
- Hauger
- Crawford
- Maini
- Durksen
- O’Sullivan
- Martins
- Colapinto
- Barnard
- Hadjar
- Fittipaldi
- Antonelli
- Belt
- Maloney
- Cordeel
- Villagomez
- Verschoor
- Stanek
- Miyata
Colapinto’s self-criticism for his mistake in the last round
“I was skidding a lot, and on the last lap I accelerated a little too much and it spun. My bad, unfortunately we lost quite a few points because of that. “In the end I had no rhythm and I ran out of tyres. I will understand what we can improve, we have to think about tomorrow,” was Colapinto’s comment.
The F2 sprint race is over
Bearman won the race (he was followed by Marti and Aron). Colapinto, who was achieving a great 5th place, locked up his teammate when he was defending the position and, by a touch, He spun out and finished 11th.
Franco Colapinto was unable to complete a good sprint. (MP Motorsport)
Lap 28/28 | Colapinto dropped to 11th place
When fighting to defend the position with his partner, Hauger, The Argentine suffered a collision, spun and lost six positions.
Lap 26/28 | Colapinto is the new 5th in the race!
The Argentinean passed Maini, who started first in the sprint, and was positioned 5th with two laps remaining.
Lap 22/28 | Colapinto’s teammate came to the rescue
Hauger, the Argentine’s partner in MP Motorsport, stuck to Durksen’s rear wing and gave air to Colapinto (6th), who was now able to gain some distance.
Return 20/28 | Colapinto defends himself against Durksen
The Paraguayan already showed the car to the Pilar native, who was able to hold on to it on the second straight and stay 6th. With DRS activated on his pursuer’s machine, it’s going to be difficult.
Lap 16/28 | Colapinto, between moving away from Durksen and getting closer to Bortoleto
Franco is 2.500 seconds behind Brazilian Bortoleto, 5th in the sprintand 1s200 ahead of the Paraguayan Durksen, who is slowly closing the gap.
(VIDEO) Colapinto’s overtaking of Barnard
Return 11/28 | Colapinto ate Barnard!
The Argentine hooked onto Barnard’s rear wing on the second straight and passed him in Turn 3. Now, Colapinto is 6th.
Lap 7/28 | Triple fight in front of Colapinto
Aron, Barnard and Bortoleto (4th, 5th and 6th, respectively) are very close and passing each other. If there is any little touch, Colapinto, who is in 7th place, can take advantage of this…
(VIDEO) The start of the sprint race
Lap 4/28 | Bearman leads the race
The Prema driver, who took first due to Maini’s weak start, made the fastest lap and moved away at the top. Colapinto remains 7th.
Lap 2/28 | Bortoleto passed to Colapinto
The man from Pilar could not hold on to the Brazilian on the straight and, arriving at turn 3, He lost his position and was 7th.
The F2 sprint race in Austria is underway!
Great start for Colapinto, who successfully defended himself from the attacks and he placed 6th.
Franco Colapinto is already accelerating at the Red Bull Ring. (MP Motorsport)
The pre-round has started: there is very little time left for the start
The traffic light lights, one turn away from going out and starting the F2 sprint race.
Colapinto’s message after his 4th place in the qualy
The complete grid for the F2 sprint race
The Colapinto team is already beating the sprint
Colapinto comes from a great weekend in Barcelona
The MP Motorsport driver showed good performance in the Spanish GP, starting with a good qualy in which he finished 3rd. Although he failed in the sprint race, in which he fell off the grid, he was penalized and finished 18th, He got a great 2nd place in the main.
Colapinto has 56 units in the Formula 2 championship. He is 6th.
How is Colapinto doing in F2?
In his debut year in the category, he is the second best rookie (behind championship leader Paul Aron) and already has one win under his belt (the Imola Sprint). With 56 points, they are in sixth position in the table.
Colapinto’s words after the qualification
“It is a good position for both races and we have to work to have the best set-up for each of the races and try to adjust the car very well, because it is a circuit that has several overtaking possibilities, there are three zones DRS followed. We have very good chances“he told ESPN.
Franco Colapinto, Argentine driver in Formula 2. (MP Motorsport)
In what position will Colapinto start the Sprint?
Despite having set the fourth fastest time in qualifying on Friday, The 21-year-old from Pilar will start from 7th place due to the inverted grid system (the poleman starts 10°, the 2nd starts 9°, the 3rd starts 8°, and so on). Kush Maini and Oliver Bearman will start from the front row.
Time and where to watch the Austrian F2 GP Sprint
This Saturday, from 8.30the sprint race will be held, over 28 laps. All the activity can be seen live on Disney+ (formerly Star+).
