Franco Colapinto issues Lance Stroll apology after bizarre criticism

Franco Colapinto has issued an apology to Lance Stroll after firing criticism at the Aston Martin driver following the São Paulo Grand Prix. 

Colapinto was highly critical of Stroll to the media after the eventful race in Interlagos, which saw the Canadian driver and Gabriel Bortoleto clash on the opening lap. 

It resulted in the home hero crashing into the barrier on the outside of Turn 10, bringing a disastrous weekend for Bortoleto to a premature end. 

The stewards decided quickly that no penalty was required, although it left Colapinto far from impressed with Stroll's driving, telling media including RacingNews365 after the race: "Stroll is always taking people out, he’s not looking in the mirrors.

"He put Gabriel in the wall, it’s what he does every time."

Stroll was made aware of Colapinto's comments and addressed them on media day ahead of this weekend's Las Vegas Grand Prix, with the 27-year-old having not held back in his remarks.

Colapinto's comments frustrated Stroll, who insisted that the Argentinian should maybe "focus on his own thing and maybe score a point this year."

The Alpine driver was informed of Stroll's response to his initial criticism in Sin City, and issued an apology, insisting his complaint was made in the "heat of the moment".

Asked by RacingNews365 why he opted to criticise Stroll, Colapinto said on media day in Las Vegas: "Yeah, I think you're seeing heat of the moment after the race. So the incident with Bortoleto – I was just behind, and I just saw the moment. 

"But of course, sorry if it affected him, of course. I was in the heat after the race, and yeah, hopefully it's all good between us. 

"But we've been spending a lot of time together on track in the races. We've been very close to each other, and we have had some close fights. So, yeah."