Norris defends Colapinto's suspension after an accident in Azerbaijan

BACKGROUND: The world champion left before the end this Saturday (26)

Britain's Lando Norris, the reigning Formula One world champion for McLaren, saw his Azerbaijan Grand Prix finish ahead of schedule on Saturday (26).

Norris did not want to let the matter pass as just another stroke. He asked the International Automobile Federation (FIA) that Colapinto be punished with a suspension of at least one race.

The accident on lap 36, Safety Car, turn one of 90 degrees and chain crash.

The pitch took place on the 36th lap of Baku's street circuit, after a safety car intervention. In an attempt to gain position, Colapinto attempted to enter from inside Turn 1, which makes a 90-degree angle.

According to the accident report, the Argentine driver slowed his brakes too much and braked the car's wheels. The loss of control caused Colapinto's Alpine to crash into Frenchman Pierre Gasly, a teammate at Alpine.

The three drivers ran out of cars to continue and abandoned the race.

Norris' reaction: call for rigor and criticism of the type of piloting

Norris demonstrated irritation with the outcome of Azerbaijan. He stated that he did not see slow motion footage of the accident, but that the race was taken from it. For the champion, the FIA should be stricter and start applying suspensions in situations like this.

The McLaren driver also said that the incident was reckless, it cost the team dearly and his parts went to waste. In his assessment those responsible for this kind of driving should be suspended because they don't deserve to be in Formula 1.

Norris further argued that in the category, drivers are expected to anticipate race situations.[citation needed] He cited conditions of low grip and tyre temperature but weighed that the problem was not so extreme as to justify the pitch.

The final request was straightforward: if a driver causes an accident at a time like this, he should be suspended for at least one race.

Unfolding: Colapinto's apology and the judging of the podium

After the accident, Colapinto immediately acknowledged his mistake and publicly apologized to Gasly, Alpine and Norris.

The race was also the subject of a press conference with the top three finishers: British GP winner George Russell, Dutch rider Max Verstappen and Frenchman Isack Hadjar.

Verstappen regretted that so many drivers were affected by the accident.

Current stage: case still marked by the request for suspension

The case at the moment is centred on Norris' request to the FIA that Colapinto be suspended for at least one race, in recognition of the mistake and the Argentine's apology, and the assessment that the top three finishers considered the punishment more severe than the bid would require.

The published footage records the accident on lap 36, Norris' statements, Colapinto's apology and podium position but does not bring a final FIA decision about punishment.

== sync, corrected by elderman == @elder_man