Two Formula 1 drivers have criticised rookie Franco Colapinto following his actions at the start of Sunday's Singapore Grand Prix.
Colapinto has been generating buzz since taking over from Logan Sargeant at the Italian GP, with rumours swirling that he could be a contender for Audi-Sauber in 2025.
But the 21-year-old Argentine's more experienced teammate at Williams, Alex Albon, quickly voiced his displeasure over the radio after witnessing Colapinto's race start in Singapore.
"I don't understand," Colapinto said when questioned about Albon's criticism.
"I only saw (Yuki) Tsunoda next to me. There was space, so I went for the inside line into the corner. There was also room on my left."
"It was a good start," he told DAZN. "I did my best. I saw a gap and went for it. It worked out."
"The start is crucial, and it's always good to exit turn 3 with several cars behind you. That's how I managed to get into the points positions," he explained.
However, Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz also expressed his frustration over Colapinto's start.
"I didn't get a bad start at all," the Spaniard said.
"But approaching turn 1, I had to be cautious with Charles (Leclerc) ahead of me – then a Williams braked very late on the inside. I think it was Franco."
"He nearly took out two or three of us. It's the kind of risk rookies tend to take, but I almost lost my race there. Nothing happened, there was no accident, but when you're fighting for the constructors' title, you've got to be careful against drivers who have nothing to lose and whose race depends on their start," Sainz added.
Colapinto eventually finished just outside the points, but he was pleased with his first Singapore GP performance.
"This race was a very positive one, and I learned a lot of new things, adapting to the car, to F1, to the schedule, and its pace. It was a good first experience in Singapore."
Known as one of the most physically challenging races on the F1 calendar, Singapore's tough conditions didn't seem to faze Colapinto too much afterward.
"I had a stomach ache from the drink in the car," he revealed. "The heat, combined with the sugar and hot liquid, is a strange mix for the body."
"One of my first races in F1 was this demanding because of the heat and humidity, but I made it to the finish," he added.
