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'Some drivers shouldn't be in F1': Norris slams Colapinto after Azerbaijan accident

McLaren's Lando Norris was involved in a crash with Alpine's Franco Colapinto at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix
McLaren's Lando Norris was involved in a crash with Alpine's Franco Colapinto at the Azerbaijan Grand PrixEric Alonso / DPPI via AFP

World champion Lando Norris on Saturday said Alpine's Franco Colapinto should face a race ban for causing the crash that took him out of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

The frustrated 26-year-old McLaren driver, running in the top 10, added that his race was wrecked by "some drivers who shouldn't be in F1."

Colapinto apologised to both Norris and his Alpine teammate Pierre Gasly for his error when he crashed into them on lap 35 after a restart following a Safety Car intervention.

"It was a big mistake, and I am really sorry," the Argentine said. "Very sad and very disappointed."

Norris said: "I think the (ruling body) FIA should be stricter and start handing out bans for this kind of stuff. It's just careless from people.

"It costs a lot of money - all my car parts are in the bin now. People should just be banned because that's not driving that deserves to be in Formula 1."

Norris declined to support claims that race leader George Russell of Mercedes had been too slow on the restart and allowed the field to bunch up too much.

"George can do what he wants," he said. "In Formula 1, I think you expect drivers to anticipate things, to know the grip is going to be low and to know the tyre temperatures are low...

"And they weren't even that low! In F1, you want to be against the best drivers in the world, and when stuff like this happens, it's because... well, he shouldn't be there."

Colapinto admitted: "I was completely out of control. So, not a lot more to say than sorry to the team, to Pierre and of course to all in the factory. I'm sorry to Lando also..."

Norris added: "It was a tough race. I was slow on the straights, and it was an impossible race with the straight-line speeds.

"At the end of the day, I got taken out - just some drivers shouldn't be in F1, to be honest. Maybe Malaysia will be better for us."

Gasly said: "It was one of the best race cars of the season, and we had both of us in the points.

"It is not easy (with a teammate), but it is all about respect, and as long as there is respect, everything is possible."

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