F1 star ‘actually fortunate’ after miraculously avoiding ‘harmful’ crash not proven on TV
Franco Colapinto’s incredible reactions somehow avoided a huge smash in the opening lap of the Australian Grand Prix as he was forced to avoid a slow car off the start line
Franco Colapinto miraculously avoided a huge crash off the start line
Franco Colapinto’s incredible reactions are to thank for avoiding a huge crash just seconds into the Australian Grand Prix.
The opening race of the 2026 season started in dramatic fashion as Oscar Piastri crashed out on the reconnaissance lap half an hour before the start. The McLaren star wrecked his car after spinning and slamming into the wall after clipping the kerb but thankfully exited the car unharmed.
There was almost another terrifying crash off the start line in Melbourne as Colapinto was forced to take last-minute evasive action to avoid driving straight into the back of Liam Lawson who was bogged down off the line.
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On-board footage from Colapinto’s Alpine, which started in P16, showed the Argentine getting a great launch off the line but he almost ended up in the back of Lawson’s Racing Bulls and then the wall, but miraculously steered clear of both.
Lawson, who started in P8, failed to get off the line and was left a sitting duck as he crawled away from his grid spot.
Despite his heroics, Colapinto’s race was impacted by a 10-second stop-and-go penalty for a race start infringement for a team member touching the car after the 15-second signal had been given.
Reacting to the near-miss, Colapinto told media at Albert Park: “I almost had a massive crash with Liam as he got stuck on the grid, and I was really lucky to get through lap one.
“I was really, really lucky, and we know things can happen with these new cars, but the video shows it was very dangerous and quite sketchy.
“I am glad I got through that, but I hit the wall a little bit with my rear right, but generally, we struggled for pace this weekend, and we’re were hoping for much, much better after Bahrain [testing]. It was just a tough afternoon.”
Colapinto went on to finish 14th, one place behind Lawson in 13th.
Meanwhile, it was the perfect start for pre-season favourite Mercedes and George Russell as the Brit came first ahead of team-mate Kimi Antonelli in second.
Ferrari also vindicated their positive feeling as Charles Leclerc rounded off the podium, finishing just over half a second ahead of Lewis Hamilton in P4.
