Williams Formula 1 boss James Vowles has defended Franco Colapinto for the spectacular start in the Singapore GP that drew criticism from other drivers.
The Argentine rookie made a move down the inside that led to several cars running wide and losing places in the scramble around the first couple of corners.
His own team mate Alex Albon claimed on team radio that he had been “divebombed” by the youngster, and after the flag Carlos Sainz called it a “Banzai move.”
Colapinto gained three spots and initially ran ninth, although he finished out of the points in 11th. Albon meanwhile retired early with a cooling issue.
“We have Alex at the front of the field dropping back as a result of the start,” said Vowles of the incident. “He wasn’t sure what was happening with both Ferraris and Franco, and took evasive action.
“Franco stayed on his line, but I understand entirely why Alex did that, and he lost too many positions at that point.
Vowles insisted that Colapinto was in control of the FW46 at the first corner.
“The start of the race is nothing that you plan in advance,” he said. “You have to react to conditions around you. In that both Ferrari and Alex were reacting, really, to what they thought was a lock-up from Franco.
“It wasn’t. It was dust being kicked up on the way in. He was actually in control of the car, left space at the apex, and could put the car where he needed to.
“So historically, what you’re looking for is a car being out of control. And Franco wasn’t. He was completely in control of what he was his doing. He wasn’t aiming actually to beat the Ferraris.
“He was aiming to get ahead of the VCARB [Tsunoda] that was there right ahead of him, because he knew that would be our race for points.”
Regarding the criticism he said: “In the case of what others are talking about, I can understand where they were.
“Especially I spent time with Alex afterwards, because from their perspective, all they looking at is a little bit in their mirror, where you are uncertain as to whether there was a large accident coming.
“I hope now others look in hindsight, especially in a top down view, and see that what Franco did was keep the car very much in control, and position it where he needed to to gain places.”
