Norris calls for Colapinto race ban after crash ends Azerbaijan GP

McLaren’s reigning world champion Lando Norris called for Alpine driver Franco Colapinto to receive a one-race ban after a crash at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix ended both Norris’ and Pierre Gasly’s races on Saturday.

Colapinto locked up under braking as the field approached the first corner following a safety car restart, sending his Alpine into teammate Gasly’s car. Gasly then collided with Norris’ McLaren, forcing both drivers to retire.

Norris demands tougher punishment

Norris, who suffered his first race retirement since the Monaco Grand Prix in June, criticised Colapinto’s driving and said the incident warranted a suspension.

“If you cause a crash on a restart like this, you should have at least a one-race ban,” Norris said.

“It is just careless from people. It costs a lot of money, all my parts are in the bin now and people should get banned.”

Colapinto initially continued before retiring in the pits. He was handed a 10-second time penalty, which will be converted into a five-place grid penalty for the next race in Malaysia on 4 October.

Alpine lose double points opportunity

The crash was particularly costly for Alpine, with both Gasly and Colapinto running inside the points-paying positions when the incident occurred.

“I don’t think I really have words,” Gasly said. “I’m obviously very disappointed for all the guys.”

Colapinto apologised for the incident, saying he had lost control after locking up under braking.

“Sorry to all of them,” he said. “It shouldn’t happen and it was locking up and completely out of control so not a lot I could do.”

Russell and Verstappen oppose race ban

Race winner George Russell said a one-race suspension would be too severe for the incident.

“I think, personally, race bans should come from drivers intentionally doing something very dangerous and very reckless,” the Mercedes driver said.

Max Verstappen, who finished second, agreed with Russell’s assessment.

“Not nice for anyone involved, right? But like George said, I think, yeah, a race ban probably is a bit much,” Verstappen said.

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