Norris apologises to Colapinto after race‑ban outburst

Did Norris overreact after the Baku incident? The reigning champion has now issued an apology to Alpine’s Franco Colapinto for demanding a race ban following their clash.

Colapinto triggered a pile‑up on the lap‑36 restart, locking the tyres into Turn 1 of Baku’s slick street circuit and taking himself, teammate Pierre Gasly and McLaren’s Norris out.

Norris was left seething, insisting that Colapinto’s reckless move deserved a severe penalty from the stewards.

I didn’t even see it; I was just taken out. I think the FIA should be stricter and start handing out bans for this sort of thing,” Norris said.

It’s careless, it costs a fortune. All my parts are now trash. Drivers like that should simply be banned; they don’t belong in Formula 1.

When asked about mitigating factors on the slippery Baku track, Norris replied, “In Formula 1 you’re expected to anticipate everything.”

Grip is low, tyre temps aren’t great. In F1 we compete against the world’s best, and when incidents like this occur, it shows someone shouldn’t be there.

I haven’t seen it, but causing a restart crash should at least earn a one‑race ban.

After two days to reflect, Norris has pulled back his remarks and privately apologised to Colapinto, ending a wave of online abuse that has clouded the Argentine’s fledgling F1 career. For my money, Norris should think before he speaks.

It was a tough weekend in Baku, ending in a disappointing early finish,” Norris posted online.

After the race I messaged Franco to apologise for the comments I shouldn’t have made.

I know better, and the heat of the moment isn’t an excuse. I was wrong. I’ve made my own mistakes over the years, and that’s part of racing on the limit.

Franco and I have patched things up, remain good friends, and are both eager to hit the track this weekend.

Colapinto admitted his ‘big mistake’, a slip that angered Alpine chief Flavio Briatore after it cost the team a double‑points finish.

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– The Team