The near-miss at the start of the race was not seen on TV replays.
Franco Colapinto discussed the near collision he had with Liam Lawson at the start of the Australian Grand Prix, calling it a “very dangerous” situation.
The incident was not captured on race start replays, as Colapinto had to swerve suddenly to avoid hitting the slowing Racing Bulls machine due to poor visibility.
The race’s starting procedure had been modified for the new season, allowing drivers a five-second turbo spool-up period, but the rapid light changes were criticized by Charles Leclerc as “cheeky.”
Colapinto ultimately finished 14th after a penalty for a team member touching the car post the 15-second signal, trailing Lawson in 13th.
Acknowledging his fortune in avoiding a serious accident, Colapinto expressed gratitude but noted the struggle for pace over the weekend and the team’s hopes for better results following Bahrain testing.
Describing the race as “a tough afternoon,” Colapinto emphasized the dangers of new cars and the need for cautious driving amid such incidents.
Watch the footage of the incident to see the intensity of the moment.
