Briatore blasts Colapinto for 'very poor move' that gifted Alpine a Baku double DNF

Flavio Briatore did not hold back after Alpine’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix unravelled in a single braking zone, publicly condemning Franco Colapinto for a collision that eliminated both Alpine drivers and McLaren’s Lando Norris from a race the Enstone team had been running well inside the points.

On the lap 36 safety car restart at the Baku City Circuit, Colapinto locked his front tyres on the dusty, low-grip inside line and slammed into the side of Pierre Gasly, triggering a three-car incident. The 23-year-old Argentinian had been enjoying the strongest run of form of his F1 career heading into the weekend.

“Obviously I’m extremely disappointed with the outcome of today’s race, knowing we lost valuable points in the Championship fight,” Briatore said in Alpine’s post-race statement. “These sorts of incidents shouldn’t happen, particularly when we were running well with both cars in point-scoring positions. I feel very sorry for the team and for Pierre who did a great job all weekend, and my apologies also go to Lando and McLaren for ruining their race.”

Briatore was unsparing in his assessment of the error. “I know that Franco has taken full responsibility for it, as he should; in fact, he braked far too late considering the context of the race and the safety car restart. It was a very poor move for a driver of his experience.”

Gasly and Norris were both vocal in their frustration after the race, with Norris going as far as calling on the FIA to consider a one-race ban for what he described as careless driving.

Briatore indicated he would weigh a formal response before deciding on next steps. “I want to take time to reflect on it and consider what course of action should be taken, so we can learn from it and avoid such a situation in future,” he said.

The incident is a significant setback for Colapinto, who had recently secured a new Alpine contract for the 2027 season alongside Gasly on the back of his improved performances. The double retirement also dents Alpine’s position in the Constructors’ Championship at a stage of the season where every point carries weight.