£567m F1 team’s drivers caused ‘seven-figures’ worth of crash damage during the Sao Paulo Grand Prix

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The Sao Paulo Grand Prix could end up being one of the most expensive races in Formula 1’s recent history.

Interlagos is notorious in Formula 1 for producing thrilling races that ultimately decide championships and having some of the worst weather on the calendar.

Lewis Hamilton’s last-gasp overtake on Timo Glock earned him a title in 2008, while Giancarlo Fisichella was awarded a winner’s trophy at the following race after a huge crash in awful conditions back at the 2003 Brazilian Grand Prix as it was called at the time.

Max Verstappen’s performance in the 2016 race looks set to be his iconic appearance in Brazil, but that was trumped on Sunday.

The Red Bull driver delivered one of his greatest-ever victories to all but seal a fourth consecutive Drivers’ Championship.

However, the other big talking point of the race weekend was how many accidents happened with heavy rain impacting Sunday morning’s rearranged qualifying and that afternoon’s race.

Five red flags were brought out by Franco Colapinto, Carlos Sainz, Lance Stroll, Fernando Alonso and Alex Albon respectively.

Albon’s car was damaged to such an extent that he withdrew from the race, but the other quartet at least tried to take part in the Grand Prix.

However, a report from Autosport has now shared that Williams managed to do millions of pounds worth of damage over a single weekend despite the Thai driver failing to take part in the race.

Colapinto managed to follow up his crash in qualifying with a huge shunt in the race under the safety car that brought out one final decisive red flag.

Williams Racing saw ‘seven figures’ worth of damage done during the Sao Paulo Grand Prix

Team principal James Vowles would have been hoping Williams could do enough to fend off Alpine in the Constructors’ Championship with four race weekends remaining and potentially millions in prize money up for grabs.

However, there would have been concerns in their garage when they saw Pierre Gasly nab two points for the French team in the Sprint Race.

The report suggests that the £567m-valued team then ‘took a seven-figure sum out of its yearly budget’ due to the accident damage accumulated by Colapinto and Albon.

It’s important to remember that Logan Sargeant was dropped due to how expensive his crashes were becoming as well as the fact that he was underperforming what the car should be achieving.

READ MORE: Williams driver Alex Albon’s life outside F1 from net worth, girlfriend to parents

Colapinto has now had a trio of crashes – one in Baku to add to the two in Brazil – and will be slowly creeping towards the figure that Sargeant racked up.

Albon hasn’t had the cleanest season either, with his car-destroying shunt in Australia the most notable of his crashes.

Franco Colapinto could help raise more money for Williams after crash damage costs

Colapinto has three Grand Prix left to show that he deserves a place on the grid next season.

Williams have already signed Carlos Sainz to join Albon next year, meaning his only chance of a race seat is at RB or Sauber.

Colapinto has brought millions to Williams in sponsorship money, and that will help cover the costs of his crashes.

READ MORE: Everything to know about Williams driver Franco Colapinto with praise to stats

However, Red Bull’s reported offer for Colapinto would dwarf that figure if they decide that the Argentinian is the best driver to bring in if they release Sergio Perez.

Karun Chandhok has warned Colapinto against a move to Red Bull, suggesting it would be too soon in his career to partner Verstappen.

Instead, promoting either Liam Lawson or Yuki Tsunoda into that seat would make more sense, allowing Colapinto to settle in at RB.