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Colapinto Describes Heart-Stopping First-Lap Incident with Lawson as Genuinely Alarming

Franco Colapinto narrowly avoided a collision with Liam Lawson at the start of the race after the Racing Bulls driver struggled off the line. The Williams driver characterized the near-miss as a frightening moment that could have ended badly for both competitors.

Colapinto Describes Heart-Stopping First-Lap Incident with Lawson as Genuinely Alarming
2026 F1 seasonFormula 12026 Australian Grand PrixFranco ColapintoLiam Lawson

A perilous moment at the opening lap nearly derailed Franco Colapinto's race when he found himself dangerously close to rear-ending Liam Lawson, whose Racing Bulls car had faltered during the getaway.

The Williams driver came within inches of making contact with Lawson's machine after the Racing Bulls competitor's disappointing launch from the grid. Speaking about the harrowing near-incident, Colapinto reflected on how precarious the situation had been, emphasizing that he had come extraordinarily close to plowing directly into the back of Lawson's vehicle.

Colapinto characterized the split-second ordeal as a genuinely unnerving episode, one that served as a reminder of how quickly fortunes can change during the frantic opening stages of a Grand Prix. The incident highlighted the dangers inherent in the opening lap, when drivers are jockeying for position and margins for error are razor-thin.

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Sporting Regulations

Article 48.1

FIA Source

Race Start Procedure

Chapter: Chapter IV - The Race

In Simple Terms

The race start follows a strict countdown. At the one-minute signal, all engines must start and team staff must leave. If a car has problems after the 15-second signal, the driver raises their arm and the car gets pushed to the pit lane while others proceed. This ensures safety and fairness in race starts.

  • Engines must start at one-minute signal
  • Team personnel leave grid by 15-second signal
  • Drivers with problems raise arm for assistance
  • Stricken cars pushed to pit lane
Official FIA Text

When the one minute signal is shown, engines should be started and all team personnel must leave the grid by the time the 15 second signal is shown. If any driver needs assistance after the 15 second signal he must raise his arm and, when the remainder of the cars able to do so have left the grid, marshals will be instructed to push the car into the pit lane.

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