Norris apologises to Colapinto for demanding ban after Azerbaijan crash

Lando Norris has apologised to Franco Colapinto for calling for the Alpine driver to be banned following their Azerbaijan Grand Prix collision. BBC Sport reported that the reigning world champion contacted Colapinto after the race and subsequently acknowledged on Instagram that his comments were wrong, saying the emotion of the moment did not excuse them.

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Norris had demanded a ban in an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live after the accident ended his race. In his later message, the McLaren driver said he should not have made those remarks and recognised that he had made mistakes himself while competing at the limit. He also said he and Colapinto had reached an understanding, remained friends and were looking forward to racing again.

The crash came as the field restarted following a safety-car period in Baku. According to Formula 1's official account, Colapinto misjudged his braking into Turn 1, locked up and struck team-mate Pierre Gasly. The two Alpine cars then collected Norris, with all three drivers retiring. Before the interruption, Gasly had been running seventh and Colapinto tenth, leaving Alpine in position to score with both cars.

Colapinto accepted responsibility and apologised to Gasly, Norris and the Alpine team. In comments published by Formula 1, he explained that his tyres and brakes were cold when he locked up and lost control. Gasly said he had spoken with his team-mate and accepted the apology, while stressing his disappointment for the team after a weekend in which he had been comfortable with the car's pace.

The sporting penalty remains separate from Norris's apology. Colapinto received a 10-second penalty for the collision, but because he had retired and could not serve it, that sanction was converted into a five-place grid drop for the following race. Both BBC Sport and Formula 1 reported the conversion.

The retirement also cost Alpine ground in the constructors' standings. Formula 1 reported that the team had been nine points behind Racing Bulls in the contest for fifth before the race. Instead of reducing that deficit, Alpine fell another six points behind after Arvid Lindblad finished seventh for Racing Bulls.