'Some drivers that shouldn't be in F1' - Norris calls for Colapinto race ban

1 month ago 20

Lando Norris said Franco Colapinto should receive a race ban for the collision that wiped him and Pierre Gasly out of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

At the first Safety Car restart on lap 36, Colapinto badly misjudged his braking into the first corner and, carrying too much speed, steamed into the side of Alpine team-mate Gasly, whose car was sent into Norris' McLaren on its outside.

Norris was spun into the barriers, with the two Alpines also forced to retire with damage. Gasly had been running seventh, Norris eighth and Colapinto 10th.

Azerbaijan GP race result | F1 2026 standings | F1 2026 calendar
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A frustrated Norris said: "At the end of the day, I just got taken out.

"Just some drivers that shouldn't be in Formula 1, to be honest."

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Lando Norris hits out after being taken out at the Azerbaijan GP.

Speaking to the written media, the reigning world champion added: "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.

"I just got taken out. And the FIA should be stricter by starting to hand out bans for this kind of stuff."

Lando Norris (McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team, United Kingdom, #01) in the MCL40, Pierre Gasly (BWT Alpine F1 Team, France, #10) in the Alpine A526, Franco Colapinto (BWT Alpine F1 Team, Argentina, #43) in the Alpine A526 with an accident in Turn 1

Colapinto was apologetic on both team radio and then in his interviews afterwards for what he admitted was a "big mistake".

"Just to all the team, not only to Pierre, but it's just a big mistake," said Colapinto.

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Franco Colapinto was apologetic to Pierre Gasly after he took out his Alpine team-mate during the safety car restart.

"So a big, big sorry to Pierre, to everyone in the factory that has been working really hard. We were with both cars in the points so very sad and disappointed.

"Big, big sorry, it's a big mistake. Just cold brakes, cold tyres and locked up and completely out of control.

"Unfortunately, I also took Pierre out and Lando of course but big sorry to both of them."

More to follow...

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