Breaking: Williams make Colapinto decision after 50G Las Vegas smash

Williams has declared Franco Colapinto fit to race in the Las Vegas Grand Prix following his 50g qualifying impact

In Q2, Colapinto clipped the inside wall at the left-hander of Turn 16, spitting him into the bare concrete wall on the right-hand side of the track. 

It destroyed the Williams machine, which eventually came to a halt near the pit entry such was the momentum carried in an accident in which the concrete barriers were also bent inwards.

The crash was measured as a 50G impact for the Argentine, automatically triggering a medical check-up at the circuit.

After the incident, Williams confirmed that Colapinto would be assessed on Saturday ahead of the 2200 local start time to decide whether he could take the start.

The incident was the latest in a string of huge accidents for Williams, with three alone in the previous Sao Paulo Grand Prix, where Colapinto crashed twice in the wet conditions in Sunday's qualifying and then the race, whilst team-mate Alex Albon was unable to start the Interlagos event after his sizeable qualifying accident.

A Williams statement read: "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 in this evening’s Las Vegas Grand Prix.

"Franco’s health is our main priority, and we are relieved 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. 

"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.

"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. 

"We are looking forward to going racing under the lights tonight."