Norris Apologizes to Colapinto After Baku Comments

Key Takeaways

Norris Apologizes for Post-Race Comments

Lando Norris has personally reached out to Franco Colapinto to apologize for comments he made after their collision at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, and the McLaren driver says the two have since moved past the incident. The apology came two days after Norris publicly suggested Colapinto deserved a suspension or even a ban from Formula 1 following the crash in Baku.

Norris posted a message on social media explaining that he had contacted Colapinto directly after reflecting on his initial reaction. He acknowledged that his words in the immediate aftermath of the race had gone beyond what he himself considered fair.

What Happened at the Restart in Baku

The incident occurred on the restart following a safety car intervention at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Colapinto locked up heavily while attempting to dive down the inside at the first corner, triggering a chain-reaction collision.

The Alpine driver made contact with his teammate Pierre Gasly, whose car then collided with Norris’s McLaren. All three drivers were eliminated from the race with 15 laps remaining.

Norris’s Initial Reaction

Norris did not hold back in his first comments after climbing out of his car. “At the end of the day, I was just taken out of the race. So, to be honest, there are some drivers who shouldn’t be in Formula 1,” he said.

The reigning champion went further, suggesting Colapinto should be suspended for a race, or even banned from the sport entirely, for causing the accident. His remarks quickly gained significant traction, particularly in Argentina, where they sparked numerous reactions around the Alpine driver.

The Apology and Moving Forward

Norris admitted, two days after the race, that his reaction had gone further than what he considered acceptable. “A difficult weekend overall in Baku and, obviously, a premature and disappointing end to the race,” he wrote in his message.

He continued by explaining he had reached out directly to Colapinto. “After the race, I sent Franco a message to apologize for the comments I made, which I simply wouldn’t…” Norris said, addressing the matter publicly before confirming the two had spoken and settled the issue between them.

Fallout Around Colapinto

The reaction to Norris’s original comments was especially strong in Argentina, where Colapinto is widely followed. His remarks calling for a suspension or ban drew significant attention and backlash around the Alpine driver in the days following the Baku race, before Norris’s subsequent apology helped calm the situation.

FAQ

Q: Why did Lando Norris apologize to Franco Colapinto?
Norris apologized after admitting that his post-race comments calling for Colapinto to be suspended or banned went further than he considered acceptable, following their collision at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

Q: What caused the collision between Norris, Colapinto and Gasly in Baku?
Colapinto locked up while trying to dive inside at the first corner on the restart after a safety car, hitting teammate Pierre Gasly, whose car then collided with Norris, eliminating all three with 15 laps left.

Q: Did Norris and Colapinto resolve the issue?
Yes, Norris said he personally messaged Colapinto to apologize and confirmed the two have since moved past the incident.

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