Montoya defends Colapinto: ‘I admire people who try’

Juan Pablo Montoya has come to the defence of Franco Colapinto following the Argentine's crash during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Colapinto collided with his teammate Pierre Gasly after locking up under braking, which also took out McLaren's Lando Norris. Despite the criticism directed at Colapinto, Montoya acknowledged the driver's aggressive approach and willingness to seize opportunities, suggesting that such instincts should not be stifled by a single mistake.

Montoya highlighted that Colapinto's error was a result of the challenging conditions during the Safety Car restart, where drivers often struggle to gauge the traffic ahead. He drew parallels between Colapinto's mindset and that of Max Verstappen, noting that while taking risks can lead to mistakes, it is also essential for achieving success in Formula 1. Colapinto's performance this season has seen him accumulate 27 points, while Gasly's standing at 41 points makes the loss of both Alpine cars particularly significant.