Colapinto takes full blame for Baku crash as he faces social media storm
SEPANG:Alpine’s Franco Colapinto said that the days following his crash at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix had been among “the most difficult” of his career, as he faced questions and social media abuse following the collision that wiped out teammate Pierre Gasly and McLaren’s Lando Norris.
Alpine driver Franco Colapinto has admitted full responsibility for the crash that occurred during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, which led to a series of negative reactions on social media. The incident happened after a safety car restart, when Colapinto lost control at turn one, colliding with his teammate Pierre Gasly and McLaren's Lando Norris.
Colapinto described the days following the crash as among the most difficult of his career, emphasizing the need to learn from such experiences and grow as both a driver and a person.
Initially, Norris had called for Colapinto to receive a one-race ban for triggering the crash, but later apologized for his comments, stating he made them in the heat of the moment. Colapinto admitted he was surprised by Norris' reaction, noting that the McLaren driver had previously spoken out against online backlash. The crash sparked a wave of social media abuse directed at Colapinto, but he addressed the criticism, emphasizing that hate can come from various fan bases and it's essential for everyone to remember they are all humans.
Colapinto and Norris have since resolved their differences, with the Argentine stating they had chatted and everything is good. He praised Alpine team principal Flavio Briatore for handling the situation well and dismissed speculation about his future with the team. Colapinto expressed his gratitude for being part of the team and the support he has received from everyone and Flavio Briatore.
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