Franco Colapinto Blasts Lance Stroll for Brazil GP Clash: ‘He Put Gabi in the Wall’

Franco Colapinto condemns Lance Stroll after a first‑lap Turn 10 clash at the Brazil Grand Prix ends Gabriel Bortoleto’s race. Stewards issue no penalty, intensifying debate over lap‑one standards.

Bortoleto, driving for Sauber, attempts a recovery after a difficult sprint. He draws alongside Stroll through Turn 9 and Bico de Pato, using softer tyres to set up a move.

Colapinto, following close behind, argues Stroll fails to check mirrors and squeezes the Sauber. The contact pushes Bortoleto into the wall, eliminating a home‑race contender before the lap ends.

Bortoleto takes a measured view, calling it a racing incident. He says they were side‑by‑side and that Stroll left just enough room initially, before the gap closed at entry.

He believes more space would have completed the pass, given the tyre offset. The collision instead clips his front‑right, pitching the Sauber off‑line and into the barriers.

The setback is significant. Bortoleto launches well, passing Lewis Hamilton and Colapinto off the line, only for his home race to end before completing a competitive sector.

Stewards opt against sanction, consistent with leniency for congested lap‑one scenarios. Contributing factors likely include compromised sightlines, defensive positioning, and both cars committing to converging trajectories.

Even so, Stroll’s defensive judgement remains under scrutiny. Several rivals note recurring marginal calls this season, and officials will monitor for patterns that tip future decisions toward penalties.

For Sauber, the loss hampers lower‑points ambitions and damages strategy learning. Aston Martin avoids immediate damage, yet reputational risk builds if hard defence repeatedly converts to contact.

Both camps now reset. Expect detailed debriefs on mirror usage, spatial awareness, and Turn 10 lines, while drivers focus on restoring momentum as the championship picture tightens.

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Daniel Miller

Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.