Franco Colapinto will use Williams's previous front suspension system for the final two weekends of the season, following his qualifying crash at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

The heavy crash during Q2 in Vegas resulted in significant damage to Colapinto’s car, prompting Williams to replace the damaged front suspension components with the older version that was used before the new design was introduced at the Singapore Grand Prix.

The new suspension was initially part of the major upgrade package for the FW46, intended to be rolled out at the Zandvoort race after the summer break. However, due to a series of crashes earlier in the season, the team had to delay the update by three races.

“We’re changing the suspension; the front suspension is different,” Colapinto said in Qatar, ahead of this weekend’s penultimate race of the season. “So, it’s the old spec, along with some other parts. But it is what it is, and we have to deal with it and do our best to maximize the car.”

He also mentioned that there were not enough of the newer parts available to replace the ones lost in Vegas, adding, “It’s part of the crashes we’ve had over the last few races.”

Despite the change in specification, Williams has assured that the performance loss for the FW46 will be minimal. Colapinto reflected on the Vegas crash, explaining that his Q2 performance led him to push harder than in other sessions.

“Q2 put me in a situation where I had to push the limits a bit more than in the other sessions,” he said. “And I think that’s what led me to take a bit more risk, which ultimately was too much.”

He continued, “I felt really good in qualifying, putting in good laps. Q1 was strong, and I had a very strong first lap in Q2. I was making big improvements with the new tires in my final run. But in the end, these things happen—it's part of racing. Let’s see how it goes here.”