Lando Norris has called for a race ban on Franco Colapinto following a collision during the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix restart. The incident involved Colapinto, his Alpine teammate Pierre Gasly, and McLaren's Norris, resulting in all three drivers retiring from the race.
The crash occurred on lap 36 at the restart in Baku, where Colapinto locked up his cold front tyres and collided with Gasly at Turn 1. Norris was caught up in the resulting pile-up, which forced him to retire as well. Norris described Colapinto's driving as careless and suggested that such a mistake should carry a penalty of at least one race ban.
According to Norris, drivers in Formula 1® are expected to anticipate the challenges of low grip and cold tyre temperatures, especially during restarts. He implied that Colapinto’s error was unacceptable at this level of competition. Meanwhile, Colapinto issued an apology, acknowledging that the crash was a significant mistake caused by cold tyres and brakes. He expressed regret towards his team, Gasly, and Norris.
The incident was particularly costly for McLaren, as Norris had already lost parts and track position earlier in the race due to a separate mistake at Turn 1. Alpine and Colapinto faced criticism following the crash, but the team has maintained its support for the driver despite the error.
No official decision or penalty from the FIA race stewards has been reported regarding the incident. The situation highlights the fine margins and high expectations placed on drivers in the championship, especially in challenging street circuits like Baku.
Norris’s call for a ban reflects his personal view on driver responsibility and race conduct, emphasizing the need for caution when tyre temperatures and grip levels are low. Colapinto’s apology underlines the pressures drivers face in such conditions and the impact a single mistake can have on multiple competitors.
This episode serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in race restarts and the importance of anticipating changing track conditions in Formula 1®. The incident affected both McLaren and Alpine’s race outcomes and remains a talking point in the paddock as teams and drivers reflect on the challenges of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.