In the wake of the Australian Grand Prix, Fernando Alonso was handed a 20-second time penalty for his actions at the end of the race. Guenther Steiner, vocalising his dissatisfaction, has called for a revision of the FIA’s ruling, citing a lack of clarity and the necessity for more stringent regulations on defending positions.
The final lap of the Melbourne race saw the Aston Martin driver ease off the throttle far earlier than usual into turns 6 and 7. With Mercedes driver George Russell on the offence behind him, he was caught out by the sudden change of behaviour and hit the turbulent air of the Spaniard’s car. This caused him to lose control and end up stranded in the middle of the track, ending his race.
Alonso’s 20-second time penalty in response to this incident saw him drop from P6 to P8, but Steiner believes more should be done, demanding a significant rule change regarding defensive driving tactics.
Qian Jun/MB Media/Getty Images
The incident, reminiscent of a similar uproar at the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix involving Kevin Magnussen and Yuki Tsunoda, has highlighted the subjective nature of current FIA penalties and the need for a more transparent framework. Steiner, in his comments to RACER, expressed his bewilderment at the stewards’ decision, which he found to be contradictory and unclear.
“I actually was with Checo on the plane back from Melbourne and we had a quick chat about it, and we came to the conclusion that fighting this hard for P6 is a little bit overdoing it. I mean, I know that everybody needs the points, but it’s like, ‘Wow.’ I think we are at the limit.
“But also, the stewards’s verdict — you are wrong but you are right — it wasn’t very clear to me. ‘You get the penalty but we don’t know if you should get the penalty.’ It’s like, ‘I give you the penalty but I’m not sure if you’ve done wrong.’ So I think it needs to be a clearer stance, and it needs to be the same for everyone as well.
“I think we were on the limit there — if not over the limit.”
Former F1 champion Damon Hill also commented on the incident, rising to Alonso’s defence. Talking to the F1 Nation podcast, he said:
“I do think this is where we get into the difficult area of: what is racing and what are dastardly tricks?
“You have to assume that the FIA want to stop people doing things that are potentially dangerous.
“But, then, it is dangerous! Motor racing is dangerous!”
Hill continued:
“You have to be careful when you’re going for a move on someone, when you are closing on someone. You have to be prepared for them to do things that are gamesmanship. I just think that this has to be a part of the sport.
“Being wary of an individual because they’ve got form? Or they are clever? Or whatever… I just think the idea that you’ve got to stop people doing anything unexpected… that’s not really racing.”
Aston Martin will not be appealing the penalty.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.