The grid for the season opening Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine weekend at the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari has been reduced to thirty cars after Franco Colapinto was forced to withdraw from competition due to a clash with the European Le Mans Series.
Colapinto was initially set to race with MP Motorsport this weekend at Imola but logistics made it impossible for him to travel between the Italian track and the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in Spain.
The Argentine racer, twice a winner in Formula Renault Eurocup in 2020, would not have had this clash had the FRECA season opener not been rescheduled. Spa-Francorchamps was set to start the season next weekend only for that round to be postponed and the Imola round brought forward.
Colapinto was already in Spain for the European Le Mans Series with G-Drive Racing, and he will now prioritise that for the rest of the weekend.
“I will not be competing in Imola this weekend for reasons out of our control,” said Colapinto on Friday evening. “I will remain in ELMS instead of travelling tonight to Imola.
“I really feel sorry for my team MP Motorsport who have always been supportive of my racing and wish them the best of luck for the races. I will still give my best this weekend in Barcelona for G-Drive Racing.”
MP Motorsport will continue with just two cars at Imola for Kas Haverkort and Oliver Gøthe. Colapinto is hopeful to be back in the third car in three weeks time, ironically at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
