Electric Cars

Cars

Car Show

Car Maintenance

Racing

English

Racing

Keselowski's Five-Wide Maneuver Leads to Multi-Car Wreck at New Hampshire

Single Slide

A daring maneuver by Brad Keselowski during a critical race restart at New Hampshire International Speedway triggered a significant multi-car accident. The incident highlighted the narrow margins and high stakes of competitive racing, leaving several competitors with considerable vehicle damage.

Details of the Multi-Car Collision at New Hampshire Race

On the 118th lap of the race at New Hampshire, the atmosphere was charged as drivers navigated a high-stakes restart. In a bold attempt to gain position, Brad Keselowski, representing RFK Racing, ventured into an audacious five-wide pass. However, the track's constraints quickly became apparent, leading to an unavoidable collision. Keselowski's car grazed the inner wall, subsequently making contact with Shane van Gisbergen's vehicle. This contact caused van Gisbergen to lose control and spin, initiating a chain reaction that involved multiple cars, including those of Kyle Busch, Daniel Suarez, and Justin Haley. Miraculously, all drivers in playoff contention managed to evade the unfolding chaos, steering clear of major impact. Nevertheless, Suarez, van Gisbergen, and Haley were compelled to withdraw from the race for extensive repairs due to the substantial damage incurred. Both Busch and Keselowski, despite their involvement, continued the race with visible damage to their vehicles. This event followed another notable incident in the same race, where Joe Gibbs Racing teammates Denny Hamlin and Ty Gibbs were involved in an on-track dispute, culminating in Hamlin forcing Gibbs off the track.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the fine line between audacious strategy and reckless abandon in motorsports. While bold moves can lead to victory, they also carry the inherent risk of triggering widespread chaos and significant consequences for fellow competitors. It underscores the critical importance of spatial awareness and calculated risk-taking, even in the most intense moments of a race.

Jason Plato's BTCC Comeback: From Racing Legend to Team Owner in 2026
Racing

Jason Plato's BTCC Comeback: From Racing Legend to Team Owner in 2026

Antonelli's Calm Amidst Chaos: A Qualifying Masterclass in Baku
Racing

Antonelli's Calm Amidst Chaos: A Qualifying Masterclass in Baku

FIA Clarifies F1 Penalty Rules: Why Piastri Avoids Grid Penalty in Singapore After Baku Incident
Racing

FIA Clarifies F1 Penalty Rules: Why Piastri Avoids Grid Penalty in Singapore After Baku Incident

Racing

Franco Colapinto's Crash: A Bold Strategy in F1 Qualifying

Slide 57
Slide 1
Slide 2
Slide 3
Slide 4
Slide 5
Slide 6
Slide 7
Slide 8
Slide 9
Slide 10
Slide 11
Slide 12
Slide 13
Slide 14
Slide 15
Slide 16
Slide 17
Slide 18
Slide 19
Slide 20
Slide 21
Slide 22
Slide 23
Slide 24
Slide 25
Slide 26
Slide 27
Slide 28
Slide 29
Slide 30
Slide 31
Slide 32
Slide 33
Slide 34
Slide 35
Slide 36
Slide 37
Slide 38
Slide 39
Slide 40
Slide 41
Slide 42
Slide 43
Slide 44
Slide 45
Slide 46
Slide 47
Slide 48
Slide 49
Slide 50
Slide 51
Slide 52
Slide 53
Slide 54
Slide 55
Slide 56
Slide 57
Slide 1
This article explores Franco Colapinto's mindset and performance during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix qualifying session, where his aggressive driving style led to an unexpected crash. It delves into his perspective on risk-taking in Formula 1 and the challenges faced by drivers on the Baku street circuit, offering insights into the high-stakes world of professional racing.

Pushing the Limits: Colapinto's Unorthodox Approach to Speed

Qualifying Incident and Colapinto's Philosophy

During the qualifying rounds for the Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Alpine racer Franco Colapinto was involved in a collision. Following this event, he articulated his preference for an assertive driving style, stating he would rather risk a minor mishap in pursuit of rapid lap times than complete a slow, cautious circuit. This incident led to him starting the main race from the 16th position on the grid.

The Dynamics of a Challenging Lap in Baku

The Argentine driver reported that his qualifying lap in Q1 on the Baku street circuit was exceptionally quick, gaining \"three tenths after three corners.\" However, his progress was impeded at Turn 4 when he encountered his teammate, Pierre Gasly, who had veered into the escape road after making an error. Colapinto also struggled at the same turn, but without an escape route available, he made contact with the wall, terminating his qualifying session prematurely. This outcome was not what the 22-year-old had envisioned, especially as he aims to secure his position with the French team for the 2026 season.

Justifying Aggression: Colapinto's Stance

When questioned about demonstrating his capabilities to the team post-crash, Colapinto asserted his consistent strong performance in recent qualifying sessions. He elaborated on his all-or-nothing philosophy in F1, declaring, \"I always prefer to have a little crash when I go quick than just to be slow and have always no damage.\" He acknowledged the unfortunate end to his session but expressed confidence in the team's progress, attributing such incidents to the tight margins and challenging conditions of a street circuit. Given that their predicted qualifying position was around P18, Colapinto emphasized the need for an extra push to secure a perfect lap, which inherently increases the risk of complications.

Impact of Environmental Factors on Performance

Adding to the complexity of achieving a flawless lap on Saturday was the strong wind in Baku, with gusts exceeding 50 km/h in certain sections of the track. These unpredictable gusts affected multiple drivers throughout the session, contributing to an unprecedented number of red flags in F1 qualifying history due to the difficult conditions and numerous driver errors.

Analyzing the Crash: Wind and Track Conditions

Colapinto believes these challenging conditions were directly responsible for his collision with the wall. He recounted losing control of the car's rear end abruptly, likely due to a sudden strong tailwind gust. He noted the difficulty of driving in such unpredictable conditions, especially after his teammate's incident at the same turn, which left him with limited options when his car's rear became unstable. He expressed a need to review the data to fully understand the cause of the aggressive loss of control.

Moving Forward: Alpine's Strategy Post-Qualifying

The severity of Colapinto's impact necessitated a chassis replacement for his A525, with Alpine confirming the use of a spare chassis and a new gearbox for the race. Currently 20th in the F1 drivers’ standings without any points, Colapinto conceded that the Baku track does not inherently suit his Alpine car. He affirmed the team's focus on Sunday's race and their strategy to patiently await circuits that are more conducive to their car's strengths.

See More
Ferrari's Strategy Debacle: Leclerc's Frustration at Azerbaijan GP
Racing

Ferrari's Strategy Debacle: Leclerc's Frustration at Azerbaijan GP

Piastri and Colapinto Avoid Pitlane Start After Chassis Changes
Racing

Piastri and Colapinto Avoid Pitlane Start After Chassis Changes

Verstappen Victorious in Azerbaijan GP as Piastri Retires Early
Racing

Verstappen Victorious in Azerbaijan GP as Piastri Retires Early

Racing

Understanding the Red Flag Frenzy at F1 Azerbaijan GP Qualifying

Slide 59
Slide 1
Slide 2
Slide 3
Slide 4
Slide 5
Slide 6
Slide 7
Slide 8
Slide 9
Slide 10
Slide 11
Slide 12
Slide 13
Slide 14
Slide 15
Slide 16
Slide 17
Slide 18
Slide 19
Slide 20
Slide 21
Slide 22
Slide 23
Slide 24
Slide 25
Slide 26
Slide 27
Slide 28
Slide 29
Slide 30
Slide 31
Slide 32
Slide 33
Slide 34
Slide 35
Slide 36
Slide 37
Slide 38
Slide 39
Slide 40
Slide 41
Slide 42
Slide 43
Slide 44
Slide 45
Slide 46
Slide 47
Slide 48
Slide 49
Slide 50
Slide 51
Slide 52
Slide 53
Slide 54
Slide 55
Slide 56
Slide 57
Slide 58
Slide 59
Slide 1

The qualifying session for the Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix became notable for an unusual number of interruptions, marked by a record-breaking six red flags. This sequence of events, alongside other minor incidents indicated by yellow flags, significantly prolonged the session, demanding extra effort from pit crews and delaying broadcast schedules.

The inherent nature of the Baku street circuit, with its tight corners and unforgiving barriers, predisposes it to incidents. However, the extraordinary number of red flags in this session was primarily exacerbated by strong, unpredictable gusts of wind, which were largely imperceptible to television viewers. Modern F1 cars, optimized for stable aerodynamic conditions in wind tunnels, are particularly sensitive to sudden changes in wind speed and direction, which can drastically alter downforce levels and handling characteristics. Drivers reported feeling their cars behave unpredictably, with varying levels of understeer and oversteer, even on straight sections, making precise control extremely difficult.

Carlos Sainz, who secured second position for Williams, highlighted the struggle to maintain rhythm due to frequent stoppages. He noted that the breaks made it challenging to adapt to the evolving track conditions, tire performance, and wind shifts, turning each re-entry onto the track into an 'adventure.' Sainz emphasized that current F1 cars are more adversely affected by wind than by wet conditions, explaining that fluctuating wind speeds, even by small margins, can dramatically impact downforce mid-corner. This unpredictability led to numerous crashes, underscoring the extreme difficulty of the session, even for the world's top drivers, as evidenced by seven or eight of the twenty participants experiencing incidents.

The challenges faced by drivers and teams during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix qualifying underscore the unpredictable nature of motorsport and the intricate relationship between advanced automotive engineering and environmental factors. It serves as a testament to the skill and adaptability required from Formula 1 drivers to navigate such demanding conditions, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the pursuit of peak performance. The event also highlights the constant evolution of racing technology and the need for continuous innovation to enhance both safety and competitiveness.

See More