Colapinto Expresses Deep Regret Following Baku Collision Involving Gasly and Norris

Alpine driver Franco Colapinto has issued a sincere apology following a significant error that resulted in the elimination of teammate Pierre Gasly and McLaren’s Lando Norris during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

The incident occurred on Lap 36 during a race restart on the Baku street circuit. Colapinto suffered a lock-up on his cold front tires while attempting the low-grip inside line into Turn 1, causing him to collide with the side of Gasly’s car and subsequently taking out Norris in the process.

The collision proved costly for Alpine, as both drivers were positioned within the top 10 scoring positions. It also marked a frustrating end to a competitive afternoon for Norris, who urged the FIA to implement stricter penalties for reckless driving.

In the aftermath, a visibly devastated Colapinto apologized to his team, Gasly, and Norris.

“It was just a massive mistake,” the Argentinian driver admitted. “I completely locked up with cold tires and cold brakes and lost all control. There isn’t much more to say than that I am deeply sorry to the team, to Pierre, and to everyone at the factory.”

“We have been working incredibly hard to secure points, and I threw that away with such a significant error. It is very sad for the team and, of course, a major disappointment.”

“We spoke with Pierre; he is understandably very upset, but I will attempt to speak with him again.”

Photo by: Michael Potts / LAT images via Getty Images

Addressing Norris’s call for a one-race ban, Colapinto responded: “To be honest, I am sorry to Lando as well, not just Pierre. I am sorry to everyone. It was a big mistake; I simply locked up and lost control. As soon as I applied the brakes, I lost everything.”

Colapinto acknowledged that colliding with a teammate violates an unwritten rule of racing, exacerbating the situation, and noted that he expects a penalty from the FIA stewards.

“It is incredibly disappointing to take out your teammate; that is the most difficult part of this,” he added.

“If it had only affected my own race, it would be a lesson learned, but when it impacts another car as well, it is much worse. I do expect to receive a penalty. I am not a steward, so I will leave that to them.”

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