Fernando Alonso makes a ‘poor showing’ from the FIA after a late penalty cost him his 100th podium
Fernando Alonso believes the decision to award him a 10-second time penalty at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix should have been made during the race; Watch the Australian Grand Prix live on Sky Sports F1 between March 31st and April 2nd
Last updated: 03/23/19 at 8:46 PM
Fernando Alonso hit the FIA after a penalty 10 seconds after the race dropped him from third to fourth at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Alonso, who started the race in P2 and led for the first four laps after passing pole and eventual winner Sergio Pérez, was soon awarded a five-second penalty for an incorrect starting position as he lined up too far to the left of his grid box.
The Spaniard took the penalty under the safety car when teammate Lance Stroll collapsed on lap 19.
However, he later received an additional 10-second penalty as the stewards considered that Aston Martin’s pit crew had started work on his car too early because the rear lever was in contact with his AMR23, promoting George Russell’s Mercedes to third and pulling it out. Alonso’s 100th podium finish as a Formula 1 driver.
Although the incident occurred on the 19th lap, Alonso was not handed a penalty until after the race and festivities had finished, leading him to describe the decision as a “poor showing” from the FIA.
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Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso says it was a ‘bad show’ from the FIA after the driver received a second penalty
“To be honest it doesn’t hurt me that much,” Alonso told Sky Sports Formula 1.
“I was on the podium, took pictures, picked up the trophy, celebrated and now it looks like I have three fewer points. I don’t have 15, I have 12.
“I think it’s more from the FIA, a poor show today, than from a disappointment from ourselves.
“You can’t apply a 35-lap penalty after a pit stop.
“They had enough time to report the penalty. If I had known that, I might have opened up 11 seconds on the back car.
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Red Bull driver Sergio Perez wins the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, followed by his teammate Max Verstappen.
Today, we didn’t put on a good show for our fans.
“I know the team is trying to review it with the referees now because we didn’t fully understand the second penalty.
“I’m interested, but I don’t care as much as I celebrated and now I have three points less? Well, let’s try to recover in Australia.”
Aston Martin reviewed the incident with stewards and team principal Mike Crack leaving the door open to the possibility of an appeal.
“First of all we need to look at the videos, what exactly happened, so that’s what we’re doing now. So I can’t say at the moment where this is going,” Krack told Sky Sports Formula 1.
“The regulation said you may not work on the car, maybe it’s a little vague, but it’s something we need to look at, we have a clear procedure for it, we have a countdown, everything was completely safe.
“No advantage came of it, so let’s see how that develops.”
Russell: Penalty call “harsh” for Alonso
Although Alonso’s 10-second penalty benefited Russell and earned him the podium, the Mercedes driver believes it was a “harsh call” from the stewards.
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Lewis Hamilton and George Russell acknowledge Red Bull are the favorites after finishing fifth and third respectively, while Mercedes boss Toto Wolff is hopeful they can close the gap as the season progresses.
“I think it was very cruel what happened to Fernando, in all honesty,” said Russell.
“I feel like some of those penalties were a little bit severe from what we saw this weekend.
“However, I am happy to pick up the trophy.”
Watch the Australian Grand Prix live on Sky Sports F1 between March 31st and April 2nd. Get Sky Sports
