Norris demands race-ban for Colapinto following Baku collision
The fallout from the Azerbaijan Grand Prix continues to intensify as Lando Norris has issued a scathing critique of the FIA's current disciplinary framework. Following a chaotic incident that ended his race, the McLaren driver has called for more severe consequences, suggesting a one-race ban for drivers responsible for such collisions.
The Lap 35 Incident
The controversy ignited on lap 35 during a critical safety car restart at the Baku City Circuit. Franco Colapinto, driving for Alpine, appeared over-eager in his attempt to make headway. The Alpine driver locked up while braking heavily for Turn 1, triggering a chain reaction that eliminated both his teammate, Pierre Gasly, and Lando Norris.
The collision proved devastating for the Alpine camp. At the moment of the restart, Gasly and Colapinto were positioned in seventh and tenth, respectively, putting the team on track for a significant double-points finish. Instead, the error resulted in an immediate three-car retirement.
'Careless' Driving and the FIA Response
Speaking to the media, Norris did not mince his words regarding the nature of the error. He characterized the move as careless and highlighted the immense financial and competitive cost of such incidents.
âIf you cause a crash on a restart like this, you should have at least a one-race ban,â Norris stated. He added: âYou know, it's careless of people. It costs a lot of money. All my parts are in the bin now. So yeah, people should just get banned. That's not driving.â
While Norris has been vocal about the need for a more stringent approach, the stewards' immediate ruling was less severe. Colapinto was handed a 10-second penalty. Since the driver failed to finish the race, the penalty is set to be converted into a grid penalty for the upcoming Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit.
As the championship moves forward, the debate over whether the FIA should implement stricter bans for restart-related incidents remains a central talking point in the paddock.
Simone Scanu
Heâs a software engineer with a deep passion for Formula 1 and motorsport. He co-founded Formula Live Pulse to make live telemetry and race insights accessible, visual, and easy to follow.