World champion Lando Norris has publicly apologised to Alpine rookie Franco Colapinto for the sharp criticism he made in the aftermath of the Argentine’s crash at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Norris, who finished on the podium in Baku, said his earlier remarks were "over‑the‑top" and that he regretted any distress they may have caused the 20‑year‑old.
The incident in question occurred on lap 12 when Colapinto, running in the midfield, lost control at the tight Turn 1 chicane and hit the barriers heavily. While the Alpine driver escaped unhurt, the crash attracted a flurry of media attention and prompted a brief debate on social media about the safety of the Baku street circuit. In the heat of the moment, Norris was quoted by several outlets as saying that Colapinto’s error was "a rookie mistake that could have taken out the whole field," a comment that quickly drew backlash from fans and fellow drivers alike.
In a statement posted on his Instagram account, Norris wrote: "I said some things that were too harsh. I respect Franco and the effort he puts in every race. Sorry for any hurt caused." The apology was echoed by his team, McLaren, which released a brief note confirming that Norris had spoken directly with Colapinto and that both parties were on good terms.
Colapinto, who is in his second full season in Formula 1, responded with a measured reply, thanking Norris for the gesture and emphasizing his focus on learning from the Baku incident. "Every driver makes mistakes, and I’m here to improve," he said in a post‑race interview with Motorsport.com.
For Indian fans: The Azerbaijan GP aired live on FanCode at 02:30 IST on Sunday, with the race replay available on the platform’s on‑demand library. Norris’ apology will likely be a talking point on Indian F1 podcasts and discussion panels, especially as the championship heads into the next round in Miami, where both drivers will be looking to score points.
Source: Sky Sports
