Franco Colapinto Crash Sparks Red Flags in F1 Imola Qualifying

Qualifying for the 2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix was abruptly stopped for the second time due to a major crash involving Alpine’s Franco Colapinto. The incident occurred as Colapinto pushed his last flying lap in Q1, with his wheels slipping onto the grass at the fast Tamburello section.

The slide caused his Alpine to spin violently into the gravel and then crash into the barriers. The car stopped with visible front damage, but Colapinto gave a thumbs up and climbed out uninjured.

This crash followed closely after another dramatic accident involving Yuki Tsunoda at the Villeneuve chicane. Tsunoda’s Red Bull slid into the tire barrier at speed, flipped onto its roof, then settled upright.

Safety crews responded quickly, and Tsunoda walked away without injury. Both crashes led to red flags, pausing Q1 while cars were recovered and barriers repaired. The start of Q2 was delayed as workers fixed the damage at Tamburello.

Colapinto had just secured 14th place in Q1, which would have advanced him to the next segment, but he now faces a possible grid penalty. Earlier in the session, he was seen entering the pit lane fast lane before race control had officially restarted, mirroring mistakes by George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli at the Bahrain Grand Prix who each received a one-place penalty.

This means Colapinto’s chances for a good starting position could be affected regardless of his pace on track. Other drivers eliminated in Q1 included Lawson in 16th, Nico Hulkenberg for Sauber, Esteban Ocon in the Haas, and Oliver Bearman.

Bearman faced scrutiny over his late lap due to red flag timing, but officials ultimately upheld his result. The fastest time in Q1 was set by Max Verstappen, followed by Oscar Piastri, with a surprising third place for Fernando Alonso in his updated Aston Martin.

The 21-year-old Colapinto is making his first start for Alpine this season, stepping in for Jack Doohan after a nine-race stint with Williams in 2024. His move to the Enstone-based team has attracted attention amid reports of a limited window to secure his future, although Alpine officials have denied this (see more on Colapinto’s Alpine F1 seat).

Heavy crashes and red flags defined the early stage of qualifying at Imola, underscoring the circuit’s reputation for punishing mistakes and demanding perfect focus. For more on the history and challenges of the Imola circuit, visit the official Formula 1 website. Repair crews worked swiftly to resume the session, but several drivers saw their hopes end before Q2 could commence.

Teams now shift their focus to the race, hoping for a smoother weekend following a chaotic start to the Grand Prix. For additional insights into F1 safety protocols after such incidents, refer to the FIA’s official safety guidelines.

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.