Franco Colapinto’s management intervened after the Japanese GP. The young Argentine was involved in a heavy crash with Oliver Bearman during Sunday’s race. The latter had to swerve for the Alpine driver and consequently hit the guardrail hard. The incident caused a lot of commotion and criticism of Colapinto, but his team is protecting him and placing the responsibility elsewhere.
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“A race to forget quickly,” Colapinto’s management wrote on social media on Tuesday. “Franco was unlucky with the timing of the Safety Car, which ruined his chances of fighting for points. We also cannot ignore the incident that led to Oliver Bearman’s crash; an incident for which Franco was not to blame, by the way. It was a result of the new regulations regarding energy management, as confirmed in the official FIA statement. Despite this, Franco is facing unfair criticism and hate. Let’s instead give him all the love and support he deserves,” the clear call sounded.
Impact of 50G
The incident occurred when Colapinto’s Alpine car switched to recovery mode heading towards the fast Spoon curve. As a result, it automatically braked heavily, while Bearman approached at full speed. The speed difference led to an evasive maneuver by the Haas driver, who then slammed into the guardrail with an impact of 50G. Bearman escaped relatively well, with only minor bruising to his knee.
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However, the online reactions were fierce, something Colapinto has dealt with before. The Argentine has a loyal but outspoken fanbase, which has also turned against other drivers in the past. In a follow-up statement, management tried to maintain calm. “Franco is in good hands and is receiving all the support he needs,” the statement reads. “He is stronger than you think, and negative comments or insults will not affect him. Don’t waste your energy on the haters. Rather, put that energy into supporting Franco. He is surrounded by the right people who ensure he feels safe and happy, so you can rest assured.”
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