BAKU — Reigning Formula 1 world champion Lando Norris has apologised to Franco Colapinto for stinging criticism after the Alpine driver triggered a three-car collision that eliminated both men and Pierre Gasly from the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku.
The incident came on a Safety Car restart when Colapinto locked his brakes into Turn 1, hitting the side of teammate Gasly and sending the Frenchman's Alpine straight into Norris's McLaren on the outside. All three retired immediately. Speaking in the aftermath on Saturday, Norris said "there are some drivers who shouldn't be in Formula 1" and called for one-race bans for the initiator of such incidents. Colapinto apologised to both Gasly and Norris in post-race interviews but was handed a five-place grid penalty for this weekend's Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia.
On Monday morning Norris posted on Instagram to walk back his remarks: "Tough weekend overall in Baku and of course a disappointing and early end to the race. After the race, I sent Franco a message apologising for the comments I made that I simply should not have said. I know better and emotions were running high but that is not an excuse, it was wrong of me." He added, "I've made mistakes of my own over the years and I know this is very much a part of racing and fighting on the limit. Me and Franco came to a good understanding, are still good friends and are both excited to get back racing this weekend."
The crash and Norris's initial comments sparked a social media furore, with abuse directed at Colapinto for his driving and at Norris for his response. Alpine released a statement on Sunday condemning the hate aimed at drivers and others in the F1 community, saying "Mistakes happen when racing at the limit and no matter the result or outcome, nobody should be subject to hateful or abusive comments." The team stressed its condemnation was "not aimed at any one fan base or the supporters of one team or driver" and said it stands with Formula One, the FIA and other teams to stamp out abuse that "has become a regular occurrence in recent races."
It is not the first time Alpine has spoken out this season. FIA stewards and Alpine staff were targeted after Colapinto received a drive-through penalty for overtaking under a double yellow flag in Zandvoort, while Gasly was abused — with threats also aimed at his family — after briefly refusing to let Colapinto past during the Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid earlier this month. Colapinto said after that incident it is "never nice to get" abuse but insisted it is "not just my fans" who are responsible. Formula 1 now heads to Sepang for its return to Malaysia, live on Sky Sports F1 from Friday morning, following George Russell's rejuvenating Baku win.