Alpine have publicly condemned the wave of online harassment and hateful messages that have been directed at Formula 1 drivers and other members of the sport after the incident at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The episode in question involved Franco Colapinto, the Alpine rookie, who caused a three‑car collision that took out his teammate Pierre Gasly and McLaren driver Lando Norris.
During the first safety‑car restart in Baku, Colapinto braked too late into Turn 1, locked his wheels and slid into the side of Gasly. Gasly was then forced straight into Norris' McLaren on the outside line, resulting in all three cars retiring with serious damage. In the aftermath, Alpine issued a statement that made it clear that the abuse they have seen online is not limited to any single 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 universal and should be called out and recognised to all fans of the sport," the team said.
Colapinto himself issued an apology, describing his mistake as "big" and expressing regret to his team, Alpine, and to Norris. Because he retired from the race, he could not serve the ten‑second time penalty handed down by the stewards, so the sanction was converted into a five‑place grid drop for the next race in Bahrain. The young Argentine’s error cost Alpine valuable points in the Constructors' Championship, turning a promising seventh‑place run for Gasly into a zero‑point finish. Norris, speaking moments after the crash, suggested that drivers who cause such incidents should face a race ban.
He added that some drivers simply do not belong in Formula 1. His remarks sparked a broader discussion among the podium finishers. George Russell, who won the race, called a ban "too harsh" and argued that a race‑ending penalty should be reserved for deliberately dangerous or reckless behaviour, not a single misjudgment on a cold‑tire restart.
Max Verstappen, who finished second, echoed this view, noting that Colapinto had taken responsibility and apologised, and that a ban would be excessive. Third‑place finisher Isack Hadjar also supported the notion that a ban was disproportionate, pointing to the challenging conditions on the Baku street circuit – low grip, bumpy surface and the difficulty of generating tyre temperature after a safety‑car period. Alpine has a history of speaking out against online hate directed at its drivers. The team reiterated this stance, emphasizing that the abuse was not only aimed at Colapinto but also at other members of the Formula 1 community, including journalists and rival teams.
They stressed that mistakes are an inevitable part of racing at the limit and that no one should be subjected to hostile comments regardless of the outcome. Alpine also pledged to work with the sport’s promoter, the FIA and other stakeholders to develop solutions that curb abusive behaviour and promote a healthy, respectful rivalry. Flavio Briatore, Alpine’s executive advisor, said he would take time to reflect on the incident and consider what disciplinary action, if any, should follow. He described Colapinto’s error as "very poor" and expressed disappointment that the team lost seven points that could have been crucial in the fight for fifth place in the Constructors' standings.
Briatore also offered an apology to Gasly, Norris and McLaren for the lost opportunity. The stewards’ investigation concluded that Colapinto was wholly or predominantly at fault. Their report noted that although the collision occurred on the first lap after a restart, there was no mitigating factor from another driver, so the standard penalty – a ten‑second time addition – was applied. Because Colapinto retired, the penalty was converted to a five‑place grid drop for the next race he participates in.
In the broader championship picture, Alpine’s lost points allowed Racing Bulls to extend their lead over Alpine in the battle for fifth place to 15 points, with eight rounds remaining in the season. The incident also highlighted the ongoing issue of fan conduct online. Alpine’s statement underscored that as a prominent participant in the sport, they feel a responsibility to speak out and help find ways to combat abuse, working closely with the rights‑holder and governing bodies. Team boss Andrea Stella of McLaren defended the stewards’ decision, stating that while penalties are necessary, drivers must also exercise common sense, especially on street circuits where there is little runoff.
He acknowledged the complexity of the situation and the need for prudence in high‑risk corners like Baku’s Turn 1. As Formula 1 prepares to travel to Malaysia for the Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit – its first visit since 2017 – the sport continues to grapple with balancing fierce competition and respectful fan engagement.
The incident serves as a reminder that while errors on track are part of racing, the reaction off track should remain constructive and free from harassment.