British Formula 1 driver Lando Norris left the Baku circuit visibly upset after a three‑car collision on the final restart of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix eliminated him from the race. Norris, the reigning Drivers’ Champion, told the official F1 channel that his car was already struggling with straight‑line speed before the incident, and that the crash was the final blow to an already difficult weekend.
What happened on the restart
On the closing laps, the race leader called for a restart. Franco Colapinto, attempting to gain an advantage, dove to the inside of Turn 1. In doing so, he lost control and clipped his teammate Pierre Gasly. Gasly’s car then slid into Norris, sending all three drivers into the barriers and ending their chances of scoring points.
Colapinto’s apology
Immediately after the crash, Colapinto apologized to Gasly and the Alpine team, admitting he was “completely out of control” when entering Turn 1. While the apology was sincere, it offered little consolation to Norris, who felt the mistake was avoidable.
Norris’s reaction
“I was just slow,” Norris said. “Struggling a lot on the straights. You saw how quickly everyone passed me. It was an impossible race from that side, the straight‑line speed today. Hopefully we get that fixed for next time.” He added, “In the end of the day, just got taken out, so just some drivers that shouldn’t be in Formula 1.”
Looking back at the weekend
When asked if there were any positives, Norris pointed to his recent form, noting he had “won three of the last four races” before a bad break at the Spanish Grand Prix. The Baku incident marked a second consecutive setback, leaving the McLaren driver eager to rebound at the next event.
Implications for the championship
The crash not only cost Norris valuable points but also reshaped the midfield battle, allowing rivals to close the gap. With the season still early, McLaren will need to address the straight‑line speed concerns Norris highlighted and hope for cleaner restarts in future races.
What’s next for the drivers
Colapinto will likely face scrutiny from Alpine and the broader F1 community for his aggressive move, while Gasly will look to recover from the disappointment of a race‑ending incident that was not of his making. Norris, meanwhile, will turn his focus to the upcoming Grand Prix, aiming to translate his recent victories into consistent podium finishes.
Original reporting: All Sports Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
