Alpine's recent double retirement at the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix has drawn sharp criticism from Flavio Briatore, who expressed his disappointment over the costly collision between teammates Franco Colapinto and Pierre Gasly. The incident unfolded during a lap 36 safety car restart, where Colapinto locked his front tyres on the dusty inside line of the Baku street circuit and collided with Gasly, forcing both Alpine cars to retire from the race.
The crash not only ended Alpine's chances of scoring valuable points but also involved McLaren's Lando Norris, who was caught up in the aftermath. Norris voiced his frustration over the incident and suggested that Colapinto might warrant a one-race ban due to the severity of the mistake. Briatore, meanwhile, described the move as "very poor" for a driver with Colapinto's experience and indicated that he was "extremely disappointed" with the outcome.
Colapinto has accepted full responsibility for the collision, acknowledging the error that led to the double retirement. Prior to this event, the young driver had been showing strong form and recently secured a contract extension with Alpine for the 2027 season, continuing alongside Gasly. Briatore has stated that he will take time to reflect on the incident and consider what measures might be necessary to prevent a recurrence within the team.
The incident highlights the challenges drivers face during restarts on street circuits like Baku, where grip levels can vary significantly, especially on the dusty inside lines. Briatore’s criticism focused on Colapinto’s late braking, a decision that proved costly for Alpine’s race strategy and championship aspirations. The double DNF was a significant setback for the team, which had hoped to capitalize on the race to gain ground in the standings.
Gasly, who was taken out in the collision, was unable to continue, marking a disappointing end to his race weekend. The crash also affected McLaren's Lando Norris, who was involved but managed to continue, albeit frustrated by the incident. The situation underlined the fine margins and split-second decisions that can dramatically influence race outcomes in Formula 1®.
Looking ahead, Briatore’s reflections suggest Alpine will carefully evaluate Colapinto’s approach and racecraft to avoid similar incidents. With Colapinto’s contract extension already secured, the team appears committed to supporting his development but remains mindful of the need for greater consistency and discipline on track. The Azerbaijan incident serves as a reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in the sport and the importance of measured decision-making during critical moments.
This episode adds to the ongoing narrative of Alpine’s 2026 campaign, where managing driver performance and minimizing errors remain key priorities. Briatore’s comments make clear that while the team values Colapinto’s potential, there is an expectation for him to deliver results without jeopardizing team interests. The coming races will reveal how Alpine addresses these challenges and whether Colapinto can translate his promise into consistent points finishes.