Norris calls for Colapinto ban after Baku crash ends three drivers' races

Lando Norris has called for a race ban for Franco Colapinto after a restart collision at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix eliminated the McLaren driver and both Alpines. According to BBC Sport, Colapinto locked his brakes and hit team-mate Pierre Gasly, whose car then struck Norris. All three drivers retired following the chain reaction in Baku.

Watch the highlights:

Colapinto acknowledged responsibility, apologising and describing the incident as a major mistake after losing control under braking. He received a 10-second race penalty, but BBC Sport reported that his retirement means the punishment will instead become a grid drop at the next event. The number of grid positions had not been confirmed, leaving the precise sporting sanction unresolved.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Norris argued that the FIA should impose tougher penalties for restart accidents of this kind. The world champion said the consequences extended beyond the drivers losing their races, pointing to the financial cost of damaged components. He called for a suspension of at least one race for causing such a collision.

Race winner George Russell and runner-up Max Verstappen disagreed with that proposed punishment. Russell said cold tyres at safety-car restarts could turn a small error into a serious accident, and argued that bans should be reserved for deliberate actions that were dangerous and reckless. Verstappen also considered a ban excessive, while stressing the importance of the driver responsible recognising the mistake and apologising.

The crash also damaged Alpine's opportunity to score points with both cars. Its drivers had been running seventh and tenth before the incident. Racing Bulls driver Arvid Lindblad subsequently finished seventh, extending his team's advantage over Alpine in their contest for fifth in the constructors' standings to 15 points. Gasly expressed deep disappointment at losing the result after what he considered a strong weekend and race.

There was uncertainty for McLaren beyond Norris's retirement. The team had introduced upgraded parts in Baku, and a spokesperson told BBC Sport it was too early to establish whether the crash would prevent Norris from using them at the following race. Neither that question nor the size of Colapinto's grid penalty was settled in the report.