Colapinto questions consequence-based penalty for Lawson clash

Franco Colapinto has conceded he “doesn’t fully agree” with the stewards’ decision to punish him with a 10-second penalty for late-race contact with Liam Lawson in Formula 1’s Mexico Grand Prix.

The Williams driver was attempting a pass on his RB rival around the outside of Turn 1 in the closing stages of the race when his rear right wheel swiped the front wing from the New Zealander’s car.

Although running tight to the white line, Lawson was judged to have “defended aggressively” but he had “left just enough room for Colapinto to remain on the track”.

Despite the stewards reflecting that both drivers were “compromised” for Turn 2 and “Colapinto more so”, the fact that the Argentine had stayed on the power through the left-hander led to the decision that he was predominantly to blame for the resulting contact, which saw Lawson pit as a result of his damage.

Asked for his view on the penalty, Colapinto told F1’s post-race show: “I don’t fully agree.

“I think it’s something similar to what happened with Lando [Norris] and Max [Verstappen] in Austin. It’s one of those where the driver that is inside pushes you off the track.

“I was, I think, slightly ahead at the apex and he braked at the last moment and ran wide, pushing me off and then he broke his front wing alone.”

Franco Colapinto, Williams FW46

Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images

Offering an explanation for why he believes he was sanctioned, Colapinto added: “I think it’s more related to what happened to Liam that he broke his front wing. That is not my fault, and they looked more at that consequence. That’s why I got a penalty.

“So look, I think stewards shouldn’t be looking at the consequence of what happened after the little incident.”

Lawson himself dismissed malice from Colapinto, telling Sky Sports F1: “I gave him space in Turn 2, he came with a lot of speed, more than I was expecting.

“I tried to get out of it but caught his rear wheel. It’s not really his fault or anything like that, I just think it was a clumsy incident.”

Colapinto finished the Mexico Grand Prix 12th and remained in this position with his penalty with Esteban Ocon too far back to capitalise, while Lawson was 16th after his repairs.

The incident which saw Lando Norris collect a five-second penalty while battling Max Verstappen in Austin and the latter’s actions in Mexico – which resulted in a pair of 10-second penalties – have resulted in calls for the guidelines surrounding overtaking and defending to be reviewed.

Changes could be in place for the final two rounds of the year in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, with drivers set to discuss protocols at the penultimate event.