Alpine chief Briatore demands accountability after Colapinto's Baku crash
Alpine executive Flavio Briatore publicly criticized Franco Colapinto for a late-race crash at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix that eliminated both Alpine cars and a McLaren. The incident occurred on lap 36 after a safety car restart, where Colapinto locked his front tires on the dusty Baku circuit and collided with teammate Pierre Gasly, also taking out Lando Norris. Briatore called the move 'very poor' for a driver of Colapinto's experience and indicated he would review the situation to prevent future incidents, despite Colapinto having recently secured a 2027 contract extension.
Key points
- Flavio Briatore described the crash as a 'very poor move' and expressed extreme disappointment over the loss of championship points.
- The collision on lap 36 involved Franco Colapinto, Pierre Gasly, and Lando Norris, resulting in a double DNF for Alpine.
- Lando Norris called for a one-race ban for Colapinto due to careless driving, while Gasly expressed being 'crushed' by the incident.
- Briatore stated he would reflect on the event and consider a course of action to ensure such a situation does not happen again.
- The incident occurred shortly after Colapinto signed a new contract with Alpine for the 2027 season following a strong performance streak.
Background
Franco Colapinto had recently been enjoying his strongest spell of form in Formula 1, which led to him securing a new deal with Alpine for the 2027 season to continue alongside Pierre Gasly. The team is based in Enstone, and Briatore serves as a key executive for the organization.
How outlets are covering it
Motorsport.com reported that Briatore was 'distinctly unimpressed' and criticized Colapinto's late braking, while noting that the driver had taken full responsibility. The Race confirmed that Alpine is considering what action to take following the crash. ESPN did not provide accessible content for this story. There is no direct disagreement between the available sources, but Motorsport.com emphasized the severity of Briatore's public criticism, while The Race focused on the team's deliberation process.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the high stakes of team management in Formula 1, where a single mistake can cost valuable championship points and potentially jeopardize a driver's future with the team. Briatore's public criticism and the call for a ban by Lando Norris underscore the intense scrutiny placed on drivers during critical race moments.
What to watch
Alpine is expected to announce a decision regarding Franco Colapinto's future or any internal disciplinary actions in the coming days. The FIA may also review the incident for potential penalties, although no formal ban has been confirmed yet.
- Alpine's Flavio Briatore rips into Franco Colapinto's Baku blunder: "A very poor move" Motorsport.com
- Colapinto gets 5-place grid drop for Bahrain GP in Malaysia Formula 1
- Lando Norris takes aim after Franco Colapinto collision at Azerbaijan GP: 'Some drivers shouldn't be in F1' ESPN
- Alpine to consider what action to take after Colapinto crash The Race
- Russell and Verstappen Reject Lando Norris’s Demand for a Colapinto Race Ban: “A Bit Much” Yahoo Sports
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