The Argentine pilot Franco Colapinto starred a shocking accident during qualifying for the Las Vegas Grand Prix, an event corresponding to the Formula 1 calendar. The incident occurred in the second qualifying round (Q2), when the Argentine was looking to improve his time in the last laps of the session. After hitting the wall with its left front tire, the Williams car suffered severe damage when it hit the safety barriers again. generating an impact recorded in more than 50G. This figure has raised alarms about his physical condition and the possibility of him participating in Sunday’s race. Although the head of the team, James Vowles, stated that the athlete was discharged and is in the hotel, before the competition they will carry out new check-ups to see if he will be fit to race.
Until the moment of the accident, Colapinto, 21, had had an outstanding performance. He managed to overcome Q1, leaving behind renowned drivers such as Lance Stroll, Fernando Alonso and Checo Pérez. In Q2, while trying to secure a place in the final qualifying round, an imprecise calculation in the final corners led him to crash into the barriers, leaving his car visibly damaged and forcing the session to be stopped. Although the driver got out of the car under his own power and showed frustration at the mistake, he was taken to the medical center for an evaluation, as required by FIA protocol after incidents of this magnitude.
Williams issued a statement reporting that Colapinto had experienced an impact greater than 50G, describing it as “serious and significant.” The team confirmed that the young driver will undergo further medical evaluations before the race to determine if he is fit to compete. Meanwhile, the mechanics face the challenge of repairing the FW46 against the clock for the race, scheduled for 3 a.m. Sunday (Argentina time).
The concept of G forcewidely used in the automotive and aerospace field, measures the acceleration exerted on a body in relation to the Earth’s gravity. A value of 1G is equivalent to the standard acceleration caused by gravity on Earth. In high-speed situations, such as those experienced in Formula 1, drivers are subjected to extreme G-forces that challenge both their physical endurance and the safety of the vehicles.
In the case of Colapinto, The recorded impact of 50G illustrates the magnitude of the accident. This force is equivalent to fifty times the pilot’s body weight.which generates great pressure on the body in a fraction of a second. Although safety measures, such as the design of the cars and the mandatory use of the HANS (Head and Neck Support) device, are designed to minimize injuries in these types of incidents, the risk remains considerable.
Formula 1 drivers face G forces not only in accidents, but also during every lap on the circuit. In tight corners, they can withstand between 4G and 7G, while when braking, the forces reach up to 5G. This level of demand requires exhaustive physical preparation, especially in the neck strengtheningwhich must resist the pressure generated by acceleration and gravity.
To prepare this area of the body, pilots perform specific exercises. These include training with helmets equipped with weights to simulate racing conditions, as well as activities with discs adapted to the neck. These practices not only help prevent injuries, but also optimize performance in competition.
The International Automobile Federation (FIA) has implemented multiple measures to guarantee safety in this sport. The cars have reinforced structures and devices such as the ADR (Accident Data Recorder), which records key information about speed and G forces during an impact. In addition, the circuits are designed with safety barriers and escape zones to mitigate the consequences of accidents.
