Fernando Alonso slammed by FIA for ‘poor show’
Fernando Alonso believes the decision to impose a 10-second time penalty at the Saudi Grand Prix should have been made during the race. Watch the Australian Grand Prix live on Sky Sports F1 from March 31st to April 2nd
Last updated: 19/03/23 8:46pm
Fernando Alonso has attacked the FIA after being demoted from 3rd to 4th due to a 10-second post-race time penalty at the Saudi Grand Prix.
After starting the race second and overtaking pole-sitter and eventual winner Sergio Perez, Alonso, who led the first four laps, was immediately handed a five-second time penalty for starting in the wrong position. was given. his grid box.
The Spaniard served a penalty under the safety car when teammate Lance Stroll broke down on lap 19.
However, with the rear jack making contact with his AMR23, the stewards decided that the Aston Martin pit crew had started work on his car too early, allowing George Russell in the Mercedes to take off in third place, thus causing him to crash. later received a further 10 second time penalty. Alonso’s 100th podium as an F1 driver.
Despite the incident occurring on lap 19, Alonso was only penalized after the race and celebrations were over, prompting the FIA to call the decision “a bad show”.
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Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso says it was a ‘bad show’ from the FIA after the driver was handed a second penalty
“To be honest, it doesn’t hurt that much,” Alonso told Sky Sports F1.
“I was on the podium, I took pictures, I took the trophy, I celebrated, but now it’s clearly three points less. Instead of 15, it’s 12.”
“More than a disappointment for ourselves, I think the FIA, a poor show today.
“We cannot issue a penalty 35 laps after the pit stop.
“They had plenty of time to let them know about the penalty. If I had known it, I might have had 11 seconds open to the cars behind me.”
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Red Bull driver Sergio Perez wins Saudi Arabian GP, followed by team-mate Max Verstappen
“Today we weren’t able to put on a good show for our fans.
“I know the team is trying to review it with the stewards because we didn’t fully understand the second penalty.
“I’m concerned, but I’ve been celebrated so I’m not too concerned. I’m three points short now. Let’s try to recover in Australia.”
Aston Martin reviewed the incident with the stewards, with team principal Mike Clack open to appeal.
“First of all, what exactly happened, you have to watch the video. This is what we’re doing right now. So I can’t really say at this point where this is going,” Crack said. told Sky Sports F1.
“The regulations say we may not work on the car. It might be a little vague, but this is something we need to look at. We have a clear procedure, we have a countdown, Everything was perfectly safe.”
“We didn’t get any advantage, so let’s see how this develops.”
Russell: Penalty for ‘tough’ call to Alonso
Alonso’s 10-second time penalty benefited Russell and secured a podium finish, but the Mercedes driver believes it was a “hard call” from the stewards.
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Lewis Hamilton and George Russell conceded that Red Bull were the clear frontrunners after finishing fifth and third respectively, but Mercedes boss Toto Wolff could continue to close the gap as the season progresses. I hope we can.
“Honestly, I think what happened to Fernando was very tough,” Russell said.
“Some of these penalties feel a little bit more extreme than what we’ve seen this weekend.
“That said, I would gladly take the silverware.”
Watch the Australian Grand Prix live on Sky Sports F1 from March 31st to April 2nd. get sky sports