Lando Norris has apologised to Franco Colapinto after calling for the Argentine driver to be banned from Formula 1.
An angry Norris made the comments after Colapinto triggered a multi-car collision after a safety car restart at Saturday’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Colapinto smashed into Alpine teammate Pierre Gasly, who then hit McLaren‘s Norris. All three drivers were forced to retire from the race.
Colapinto apologised and has been given a five-place grid penalty for the next round in Malaysia. However, Norris received a barrage of online abuse after his comments but has backed away from his own remarks in an Instagram statement published on Monday.
“Tough weekend overall in Baku and of course a disappointing and early end to the race,” Norris said. “After the race, I sent Franco a message apologising for the comments I made that I simply should not have said.
“I know better and emotions were running high but that is not an excuse, it was wrong of me. I’ve made mistakes of my own over the years and I know this is very much a part of racing and fighting on the limit.
“Me and Franco came to a good understanding, are still good friends and are both excited to get back racing this weekend.”
Norris’ statement comes after the Briton received waves of online abuse from Colapinto fans following his comments. Even an Argentine politician, minister of foreign affairs Pablo Quirno, took to X to call out Norris for hypocrisy, after the Briton crashed into McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri last year in Canada.
“Sure, Lando Norris called for a penalty for the driver who crashed into Oscar Piastri in Montreal 2025,” he said. “Ah, no… right.”
Ex-Argentina striker Sergio Aguero also posted a ‘wagging finger’ meme in response to Norris’s most recent Instagram post.
Nonetheless, not for the first time this season, Alpine published a statement on Sunday condemning the wave of social media abuse that has come Norris’ way.
Franco Colapinto caused a crash which resulted in Norris’ retirement (AP)
It read: “As a team, we feel it’s necessary to speak out once more about the hate and abuse online following the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Not only aimed at one of our own drivers, but also members of the Formula One community, including media, and to our racing counterparts who we respect, admire, and revel competing against in the pinnacle of motorsport.
“Mistakes happen when racing at the limit and no matter the result or outcome, nobody should be subject to hateful or abusive comments.
“Condemning abuse on social media is not aimed at any one fan base or the supporters of one team or driver, this is universal and should be called out and recognised to all fans of the sport.
Alpine driver Colapinto will serve a grid drop at this week’s Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia (David Davies/PA) (PA Wire)
“As we have said in previous instances, we strongly condemn the reaction of some fans online and stand in solidarity with Formula One, the FIA, and other teams in wanting to stamp it out. It has become a regular occurrence in recent races and cannot be condoned.
“We know as a proud participant and stakeholder in the sport, we hold a responsibility to speak out and also help support in finding a solution.
“We will continue to work closely with the championship promoter and rights-holder, and the governing body to discuss ways in which to tackle online abuse and encourage healthy sporting rivalry, which Formula One is renowned for and what makes it so special.”
Alpine de facto team boss Flavio Briatore has already threatened to remove access to Colapinto for Argentine media if the abuse online does not dissipate.
Discover more from NAIRAVOICE.COM.NG
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
