Alpine have publicly condemned the wave of online harassment and hateful messages that have been directed at drivers and other members of the Formula 1 community since the Azerbaijan Grand Prix incident in which Franco Colapinto was involved in a three‑car collision with his teammate Pierre Gasly and McLaren's Lando Norris. The crash occurred on the first safety‑car restart in Baku when Colapinto braked too late, locked his wheels and slid into the side of Gasly, who was then forced into the outer side of Norris' McLaren.
All three cars suffered terminal damage and were forced to retire. In a statement released on Sunday, Alpine stressed that the condemnation of abusive behaviour on social media is not aimed at any particular fan base, team or driver.
"Condemning abuse on social media is not aimed at any one fan base or the supporters of one team or driver; this is a universal problem that must be called out and recognised by all fans of the sport," the team wrote. The statement went on to say that Alpine feels a responsibility, as a proud participant in the sport, to speak out against such conduct and to work with the sport’s promoters, the FIA and other stakeholders to find effective solutions.
Colapinto issued an apology to his teammate, the Alpine team and to Norris, describing the incident as a "big mistake". Because he retired from the race, he could not serve the ten‑second time penalty handed down by the stewards, so the penalty was converted into a five‑place grid drop at the upcoming Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. In the immediate aftermath of the crash, Norris suggested that drivers who cause similar incidents should receive a race ban and added that "there are some drivers who shouldn't be in Formula 1, to be honest".
His remarks sparked a broader discussion among the podium finishers about the appropriate level of punishment for a mistake made under the pressure of a safety‑car restart. Alpine has previously spoken out against online hate directed at its drivers, particularly after incidents involving Colapinto, who enjoys a large fan base in Argentina. The team reiterated that the abuse is not limited to one driver but also targets members of the wider Formula 1 community, including journalists and rival teams.
"Mistakes happen when racing at the limit and, regardless of the outcome, nobody should be subjected to hateful or abusive comments," the statement read. Alpine emphasized its commitment to collaborating with the championship promoter, the rights‑holder and the governing body to promote a healthier, more respectful rivalry that is a hallmark of the sport.
Flavio Briatore, Alpine’s executive advisor, said he would take time to reflect on the incident and consider what disciplinary measures might be appropriate. He described Colapinto's error as "very poor" and noted that the collision cost Alpine valuable championship points.
At the time of the restart, Gasly was running a strong seventh while Colapinto was in tenth; the crash eliminated both cars and denied Alpine the seven points they might have earned. The stewards' report detailed the sequence of events: after the safety‑car period ended, Colapinto approached Gasly from behind into Turn 1, braked too late and entered the corner on the inside at a speed that prevented him from controlling the car. He overshot the apex, struck the left‑hand side of Gasly’s car, which then collided with Norris. The stewards found Colapinto wholly or predominantly at fault and, because he retired, converted the standard ten‑second time penalty into a five‑grid‑place drop for the next race.
The incident also had repercussions in the Constructors' Championship. With both Alpine cars out, Arvid Lindblad moved up to seventh place, extending Racing Bulls' lead over Alpine for fifth place to 15 points with eight rounds remaining. In Alpine’s post‑race press release, Briatore expressed deep disappointment at the loss of points, apologised to Gasly, Norris and McLaren, and reiterated his intention to reflect on the incident and decide on any further action. When questioned about Norris' suggestion of a race ban, the podium finishers—all of whom finished on the podium in Baku—agreed that a one‑race suspension would be excessive for a mistake made under the unique conditions of a safety‑car restart.
Race winner George Russell said a ban would be "too harsh" and highlighted that cold tyres and a small error can have outsized consequences. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who finished second, echoed this view, stating that as long as the driver acknowledges the mistake and apologises, a ban is unnecessary.
Third‑place finisher Isack Hadjar added that the bumpy street‑circuit surface and the difficulty of generating tyre temperature after a safety‑car period contributed to the error, further supporting the argument that a ban would be disproportionate. McLaren team principal Andrea Stella defended the stewards' decision, noting that drivers are expected to exercise common sense, especially on a street circuit where there is little runoff.
He said the penalty should reflect the particular challenges of certain tracks and that the stewards' approach, while strict, was appropriate. Looking ahead, Formula 1 returns to Malaysia for the first time since 2017, with the Bahrain Grand Prix scheduled at the Sepang International Circuit. Fans can watch live coverage on Sky Sports F1 and stream via NOW, with the option to cancel at any time.
Alpine’s stance against online abuse remains firm, and the team has pledged to continue working with the sport’s governing bodies to foster a respectful environment for competitors, media and supporters alike.