Norris apologises to Colapinto after ban remark

Lando Norris apologised on Saturday to Franco Colapinto after saying the Argentine should be banned for causing an accident at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku. He had made the original remark to BBC Radio 5 Live after the race.

Colapinto locked up at the restart after a safety-car period and slid into Alpine team-mate Pierre Gasly, who then hit McLaren driver Norris, in an incident which resulted in all three retiring from the race. Colapinto said he was "sorry" for his "big mistake". Norris told BBC Radio 5 Live: "Give him a ban. It's quite simple."

In a message on Instagram, world champion Norris said he was sorry for his comments on Saturday. "Tough weekend overall in Baku and of course a disappointing and early end to the race," he said. "After the race, I sent Franco a message apologising for the comments I made that I simply should not have said."

"I know better and emotions were running high but that is not an excuse, it was wrong of me. "I've made mistakes of my own over the years and I know this is very much a part of racing and fighting on the limit. "Me and Franco came to a good understanding, are still good friends and are both excited to get back racing this weekend."

Colapinto was given a 10-second penalty during the race.

As he was already retired this has been converted into a five-place grid drop, which he will serve at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia this weekend.