Franco Colapinto has issued a public apology following a collision with his Alpine teammate Pierre Gasly during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, an incident that also involved McLaren’s Lando Norris and brought an early end to the race for all three drivers.
The crash occurred late in the race during a Safety Car restart triggered by Alex Albon’s earlier incident. At that point, Alpine was positioned well for a double points finish, with Gasly running seventh and Colapinto in tenth. However, Colapinto misjudged his braking at Turn 1, locking up and making contact with Gasly, which caused both Alpine cars to spin. The resulting spin collected Norris, ending the race for all three drivers.
This incident had a significant impact on Alpine’s race strategy and their position in the teams’ championship, as the team missed a valuable opportunity to close the gap to Racing Bulls in the standings. Colapinto acknowledged the mistake and expressed regret towards Gasly, the team, and the Alpine factory for the lost points and disruption.
Gasly responded to the incident by expressing his disappointment but emphasized that the team would handle the situation collectively. The crash was a clear driver error rather than a team conflict, and Alpine remains focused on managing the aftermath professionally.
In addition to the collision with Gasly, Colapinto was involved in a separate incident with teammate Liam Lawson during the race. This second contact did not result in any action from the race stewards.
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix incident highlights the challenges drivers face during intense moments such as Safety Car restarts, where precision and timing are critical. For Alpine, the crash was a setback in their efforts to improve their standing in the championship, underscoring how quickly opportunities can be lost in the competitive environment of Formula 1®.
Colapinto’s apology and Gasly’s measured response reflect the professionalism within the team as they work through the consequences of the race. The incident serves as a reminder of the fine margins in Formula 1® racing and the importance of maintaining focus under pressure.