Not for the first time, Alpine has had to issue a statement following online abuse from 'fans' of Franco Colapinto.

The Argentine driver crashed out of Saturday's Azerbaijan Grand Prix taking teammate Pierre Gasly and 2025 world champion, Lando Norris with him.

Norris initially claimed that Colapinto didn't deserve to be in F1, but later eased off and simply called for a race ban.

Arriving in Azerbaijan, Gasly revealed that he and members of his family had suffered abuse, including death threats, after fans of Colapinto perceived that the Frenchman had deliberately held back the Argentine driver during the preceding Spanish Grand Prix.

Previously, the team had to issue a statement after officials were targeted when the Alpine driver was handed a drive-through at Zandvoort for overtaking under yellow flags. This followed previous threats to various drivers, teams and officials.

"As a team, we feel it's necessary to speak out once more about the hate and abuse online following the Azerbaijan Grand Prix," said Alpine in a statement. "Not only aimed at one of our own drivers, but also members of the Formula One community, including media, and to our racing counterparts who we respect, admire, and revel competing against in the pinnacle of motorsport. Mistakes happen when racing at the limit and no matter the result or outcome, nobody should be subject to hateful or abusive comments.

"Condemning abuse on social media is not aimed at any one fan base or the supporters of one team or driver," claimed the Enstone-based outfit, "this is universal and should be called out and recognised to all fans of the sport. As we have said in previous instances, we strongly condemn the reaction of some fans online and stand in solidarity with Formula One, the FIA, and other teams in wanting to stamp it out. It has become a regular occurrence in recent races and cannot be condoned.

"We know as a proud participant and stakeholder in the sport, we hold a responsibility to speak out and also help support in finding a solution. We will continue to work closely with the championship promoter and rights-holder, and the governing body to discuss ways in which to tackle online abuse and encourage healthy sporting rivalry, which Formula One is renowned for and what makes it so special."

Norris - probably following the death threats - subsequently took to social media to apologise for his initial claim that Colapinto shouldn't be in F1.

"(A) tough weekend overall in Baku," he wrote, "and of course a disappointing and early end to the race.

"After the race, I sent Franco a message apologising for the comments I made that I simply should not have said," he continued. "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," he concluded.

Meanwhile - 18 years to the day since Crashgate - Flavio Briatore took to Instagram to apologise to Norris.

"I'm disappointed with the outcome of the Azerbaijan GP, knowing we lost valuable points," wrote the Italian. "I feel very sorry for the team and for Pierre... My apologies also go to Lando and McLaren for ruining their race.

"I know that Franco has taken full responsibility for it, as he should," he added. "We now have to look ahead and make sure these things do not happen in the future."

Despite every race now featuring a "Sold Out" message as the attendance is confirmed, it is understood that there is absolutely no truth to claims that Stefano Domenicali is hurriedly organising an Islas Malvinas Grand Prix in a bid to take advantage of Colapinto's fanbase.