Fernando Alonso and Alpine are already completely focused on this weekend’s event, but the double penalty imposed on the two-time champion at the last Miami GP is still in the offing. The first, accepted as deserved after a contact with Pierre Gasly, was completed as soon as he crossed the checkered flag, losing one position.
However, he later dropped from ninth to eleventh when after the race he was penalized again for “going off track and gaining a lasting lead” after missing turn 14 of the tricky chicane at the Miami circuit.
His team protested during the following week and asked the FIA to clarify the rules for which they considered Alonso to be unfairly sanctioned. And this Friday, at the press conference prior to the Spanish Grand Prix that he disputes as a local, they asked the Spaniard for his opinion.
“It was unfair. I think it was very unfair. It was just the incompetence of the stewards, who I think were not very professional in Miami,” replied #14.
Although the television images did not show it, Alonso had skipped turn 14, but Alpine ‘s anger came because they did not show that he had slowed down to return the advantage achieved.
“I didn’t make a corner, then I returned the time on that lap… but obviously as soon as I missed that corner a mini sector appeared in purple, and although I later returned it, they made the decision without asking us for any evidence,” Alonso lamented.
Alonso revealed that his team did provide evidence, but it was of no use: “We arrived after the race with all the evidence and all the data, and they were already packing things to leave. They weren’t even in the stewards room. We arrived there and we showed them all the data, and then they said ‘give us five minutes.’ But they already found their hands tied, probably because they already issued the sanction and they didn’t know how to go back after the document was published”.
“It was very bad and honestly… it’s already in the past, but it’s something that shouldn’t happen in Formula 1, with the professionals and the standards that Formula 1 has at the moment.”
Asked directly by Motorsport.com if he thought the stewards system had improved this year in light of the FIA’s efforts and the new race management model, Alonso blurted out a resounding “sure not” without even waiting to hear the question. complete.
And when our website insisted if there is anything to improve, he continued: “We already saw a couple of things that show that we still have a lot to improve. You need to have some knowledge of racing before being a race director or trying to manage a race. And I don’t think they have that knowledge now.”
“I know there is a new race director. I think Freitas has a lot more experience with the WEC and with other categories at the highest level. And I think that will already improve things. But still… I mean, even the accident we had in Miami with Carlos and Esteban, we pushed for them to put some tire barriers in there, or TECPRO, whatever, and nobody did anything. So when you don’t have that knowledge of racing, it’s hard to talk.”
Pointing to that Esteban Ocon incident coming at the same point where Carlos Sainz had asked for more protection, Alonso was asked if he was worried about safety in F1. “No, I don’t think so,” he commented. “Safety has been good and we will probably have the safest cars and circuits this year. The environment is very safe now in Formula 1. We just have to keep improving that.”
“We drivers are the only ones driving the cars and we feel the crashes and stuff in our bodies, so when we think something is needed, we should be listened to. In Miami and some other examples we didn’t see that because they seem to be focused. in other things”.
Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Photo by: Zak Mauger/Motorsport Images
Photo by: Mark Sutton/Motorsport Images
Photo by: Mark Sutton/Motorsport Images
Photo by: Mark Sutton/Motorsport Images
Photo by: Mark Sutton/Motorsport Images
Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
