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, where Franco Colapinto was involved in a three‑car collision with Pierre Gasly and Lando Norris. The chain of events began on the first safety‑car restart in Baku when Colapinto, still on cold tyres, braked too late into Turn 1. He locked his front wheels, slid sideways and struck the side of his teammate Pierre Gasly.
The impact forced Gasly straight into the side of Lando Norris’s McLaren, sending all three cars into the wall and ending their races instantly. 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. "Abuse on social platforms is a universal problem that must be called out by every fan of the sport," the team wrote, emphasizing that such conduct harms the entire Formula 1 community.
All three drivers retired with serious damage to their cars. Colapinto issued a heartfelt apology to his teammate, the Alpine team, and to Norris, describing the incident as a "big mistake" that he deeply regretted. Because he retired, the ten‑second time penalty imposed by the stewards could not be served during the race, so the sanction was converted into a five‑place grid drop for the upcoming Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. Norris, speaking shortly after the crash, suggested that drivers who cause similar incidents should face a race‑ban.
He added, "There are some drivers who really shouldn't be in Formula 1, to be honest," reflecting the frustration felt by many fans and competitors alike. Alpine has previously spoken out against the surge of hateful comments aimed at Colapinto, who enjoys a large following in his native Argentina.
The team reiterated its stance, stating: "We feel it is necessary to speak out again about the hate and abuse online following the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. It is not only directed at one of our drivers but also at members of the wider Formula 1 community, including media and our respected rivals. Mistakes happen when racing at the limit, and no one should be subjected to abusive remarks regardless of the outcome." The Alpine press release continued: "We strongly condemn the reaction of some fans online and stand in solidarity with Formula One, the FIA, and other teams in wanting to stamp it out.
This kind of behaviour has become a regular occurrence in recent races and cannot be condoned. As a proud participant and stakeholder in the sport, we have a responsibility to speak out and help find solutions. We will continue to work closely with the championship promoter, the rights‑holder, and the governing body to discuss ways to tackle online abuse and encourage healthy sporting rivalry, which is what makes Formula One special." Flavio Briatore, Alpine’s executive adviser, commented on Saturday evening that he would take time to reflect on the appropriate course of action after what he described as Colapinto’s "very poor" error.
At the moment of the crash, Gasly was running a solid seventh while Colapinto sat in tenth. The incident cost Alpine a total of seven championship points.
The stewards’ report explained that Colapinto approached Gasly from behind, braked too late, and entered the corner on the inside at a speed that made a controlled turn impossible. He overshot the apex, hit the left‑hand side of Gasly, who then collided with Norris. The officials deemed 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 he participates in.
With both Alpine cars and Norris out of the race, Arvid Lindblad managed to climb into seventh place, extending Racing Bulls' lead over Alpine in the fight for fifth in the Constructors' Championship to 15 points with eight rounds remaining. In the official Alpine press release, Briatore expressed disappointment: "I am extremely disappointed with the outcome of today's race, knowing we lost valuable points in the championship battle.
Incidents like this should not happen, especially when we were running well in point‑scoring positions. I feel sorry for the team and for Pierre, who performed admirably all weekend, and I apologise to Lando and McLaren for ruining their race." He added, "Franco has taken full responsibility, as he should. He braked far too late on a safety‑car restart – a very poor move for a driver of his experience.
I will reflect on this and consider what actions are appropriate so we can learn and avoid a repeat in the future." When asked about Norris's suggestion to ban drivers for a race, the podium finishers in Baku all agreed that such a sanction would be excessive for a single mistake. Race winner George Russell said, "I think that's too harsh.
Safety‑car restarts, cold tyres, a tiny error can have big consequences, but a race ban should be reserved for intentional, dangerous, reckless behaviour." Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who finished second, echoed the sentiment: "As long as the driver acknowledges what happened and apologises, it's a small mistake or misjudgement. It’s unfortunate for everyone involved, but a race ban is probably too much." Third‑place finisher Isack Hadjar also backed the view, noting that the bumpy street surface in Baku makes it difficult to generate tyre temperature after a safety‑car period, which can lead to over‑driving and severe outcomes. He argued that a ban would be disproportionate given the circumstances. McLaren team principal Andrea Stella said the team trusts the stewards to make the right decision and reminded drivers that common sense must guide their actions, especially on tight street circuits where there is little runoff.
"We trust the stewards, but drivers also need to apply a certain degree of common sense while driving," he said. The incident has reignited the broader conversation about online toxicity in motorsport.
Alpine pledged to continue collaborating with the sport’s governing bodies, the FIA, and the commercial rights holder to develop tools and policies that curb abuse while preserving the passionate rivalry that defines Formula 1. Formula 1 will travel to Malaysia for the first time since 2017, hosting the Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit. Live coverage will be available on Sky Sports F1, with streaming options through NOW for viewers who prefer a contract‑free experience.