Lando Norris has issued a public assertion relating to his post-Azerbaijan Grand Prix feedback relating to Franco Colapinto amid a social media frenzy.
The Method 1 Azerbaijan GP was a disastrous weekend for the reigning World Champion. Norris, who struggled to match the tempo of his front-running rivals all through the weekend, was operating within the midfield throughout the Security Automobile restart.
When green-flag racing resumed, the Briton discovered himself out of the race following contact from Alpine’s Colapinto, which hit the sister automotive of Pierre Gasly, which, in flip, domino-effected into the McLaren.
When talking to the media, Norris’ frustrations had been evident. The 26-year-old referred to as on the FIA to impose “race bans” on drivers who interact in “careless racing” throughout race restarts, and went on to counsel that driving types like Colapinto’s in Baku don’t have any place within the sport, claiming “there are some drivers that shouldn’t be in Method 1.”
Norris’ feedback rapidly caught the eye of the passionate Argentinian fan base. Inside hours of the incident, the McLaren driver’s social media feedback had been flooded with varied hateful messages, condemning his feedback about Colapinto.
Argentina’s Minister of Overseas Affairs Pablo Quirno even took to X to take intention at Norris, posting an image of his 2025 Canadian GP collision with teammate Oscar Piastri, writing: “Positive, Lando Norris referred to as for a penalty for the driving force who crashed into Oscar Piastri in Montreal in 2025. Ah, no… proper.”
Following the inflow of on-line abuse, Alpine had been compelled to publish yet one more assertion condemning the actions of many on-line.
Lando Norris speaks out on Colapinto concern
Regardless of the frustrations of the scenario, Norris took to social media early on Monday morning to concern an official assertion. The reigning World Champion wrote in an Instagram story that Baku was a “disappointing” weekend for him and the group.
He continued by explaining his feedback following the race, emphasising that he had already apologised and spoken to his rival.
“After the race, I despatched Franco a message apologising for the feedback I made that I merely mustn’t have mentioned,” Norris defined.
The McLaren driver took accountability for his feedback, regardless of talking out of frustration within the media pen.
“I do know higher, and feelings had been operating excessive, however that’s not an excuse; it was improper of me.
I’ve made errors of my very own through the years, and I do know that is very a lot part of racing and combating on the restrict.”
Norris ended his assertion by saying that he and Colapinto keep a optimistic relationship heading into F1’s return to Malaysia.
“Me and Franco got here to an excellent understanding, are nonetheless good pals and are each excited to get again racing this weekend.”
There’ll hopefully be no contact between the 2 on this weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix, held at Malaysia’s Sepang Circuit, a observe Norris has by no means raced on in F1.
READ MORE: Alpine blasts on-line abuse after controversial Franco Colapinto conflict
