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Franco Colapinto has been cleared to participate in Formula 1's Las Vegas Grand Prix following the 50g qualifying crash that led to uncertainty over whether he would be able to race.
Williams said after qualifying that the 21-year-old needed to be evaluated on Saturday “before we will know whether he is clear to race”.
That evaluation has now taken place and he will start the race from the pitlane following what the team described as “some set-up changes”.
This could also include car-spec changes given Williams was desperately short of parts going into the weekend after its crash-strewn Interlagos weekend.
The team has rebuilt the car around a spare monocoque and have also fitted a different specification of front brake cooling ducts on both sides.
“Following Franco’s incident in qualifying yesterday, he has undergone a thorough follow-up evaluation from the event medical team today and has been cleared to race,” said a Williams statement.
“Franco’s health is our main priority, and we are relieved that he is well enough to race following such a significant incident. We thank the medical staff for prioritising Franco’s health and wellbeing and for the excellent care he received.”
Colapinto’s crash happened in the closing stages of Q2, after he tagged the inside wall at the Turn 16 left-hander that precedes the drag to the finish line. That pitched him heavily into the outside wall and caused an immediate red flag.
It's an accident Williams could ill-afford given the three crashes it suffered last time out at Interlagos, with Colapinto crashing heavily in the race after also hitting the wall during qualifying. Team-mate Alex Albon also suffered a big impact in qualifying at Turn 1 that prevented him racing in Brazil.
“We are extremely thankful to our incredible garage team for their hard work overnight to repair Franco’s car and our fans and partners for their continued support," the Williams statement added.
"We have taken the opportunity to make some set-up changes during the repair and, as a result, Franco will start the race from the pitlane."
