Key Highlights
- Lando Norris called for at least a one-race ban after Franco Colapinto’s restart crash at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
- Colapinto locked up on cold tyres and brakes at Turn 1, colliding with Alpine teammate Pierre Gasly and McLaren’s Norris.
- The incident eliminated both Norris and Gasly, while Colapinto apologized to his team, Gasly and Norris.
Lando Norris demands tougher punishment for Franco Colapinto
Reigning world champion Lando Norris believes Franco Colapinto should receive “at least a one-race ban” for causing a three-car incident during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix restart in Baku.
On lap 36, Colapinto locked up his cold front tyres and went straight into Alpine teammate Pierre Gasly at Turn 1. Norris was caught in the collision as the two Alpine cars tangled, forcing both Gasly and Norris to retire from the race.
The crash ended a difficult afternoon for Norris, who had struggled for pace and made a Turn 1 error of his own on the restart that dropped him into the pack. The McLaren driver was angered by what he considered careless driving and argued that Formula 1’s race stewards should impose stronger penalties for incidents of this nature.
“I’ve not seen it. I just got taken out. I think the FIA should be stricter and start handing out bans for this kind of stuff,” Norris vented. “It’s careless from people. It costs a lot of money; all my parts are in the bin now. People should just get banned, because that’s not driving that deserves to be in Formula 1.
Norris rejects cold conditions as an excuse
Asked whether the slippery Baku circuit and low tyre temperatures provided mitigating circumstances, Norris said Formula 1 drivers should anticipate reduced grip during a restart. He also questioned whether the conditions were unusually difficult for the field.
“In Formula 1, I think you expect drivers to anticipate things. Grip is going to be low; tyre temps are low; they weren’t even that low. In Formula 1, we want to be against the best drivers in the world, and when stuff like this happens, it’s because [they] shouldn’t be there.
Norris said he had not yet reviewed the incident, but maintained that causing a crash during a restart warranted a significant sanction.
“I’ve not seen it, but if you cause a crash in a restart like this, you should have at least a one-race ban.”
Franco Colapinto apologizes after Azerbaijan GP crash
Colapinto also accepted responsibility for the collision. The Argentine driver was battling for points alongside Gasly before his mistake ended the Alpine team’s chance of scoring with both cars and eliminated Norris from the race.
“A big mistake,” the Argentinian acknowledged. “I locked up completely with cold tyres and cold brakes and was out of control completely. Not a lot to say more than sorry to the team, to Pierre of course, to all the factory.
Colapinto said Alpine had worked hard to score points in Baku and described the crash as a major disappointment. He also apologized directly to Norris after recognizing that his mistake had ended the McLaren driver’s race.
“We’ve been working really hard to score points and I threw it away with that big mistake. So, I’m very sad for the team. Of course it’s a big disappointment. I’m sorry to Lando as well.”
Why This Matters
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix restart highlighted the risks drivers face when grip and tyre temperatures are low in the opening corners after a neutralization. The collision had consequences for three drivers, ended Norris’s race and damaged Alpine’s points prospects while intensifying the debate over whether restart incidents should attract harsher Formula 1 penalties.
Norris’s comments were based on his initial view from inside the incident, while Colapinto acknowledged that his lock-up left him out of control. The severity of any official response remains a matter for the FIA race stewards.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened between Franco Colapinto, Pierre Gasly and Lando Norris?
During the lap 36 restart at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Colapinto locked up his cold front tyres and collided with Alpine teammate Pierre Gasly at Turn 1. Norris was also collected in the incident.
Why does Lando Norris want Franco Colapinto banned?
Norris believes Colapinto’s restart mistake was careless and serious enough to justify a one-race ban. Norris said such incidents cause costly damage and should receive stricter punishment.
Did Franco Colapinto accept responsibility?
Yes. Colapinto described the crash as a “big mistake,” said he was completely out of control after locking up, and apologized to Alpine, Gasly and Norris.