“I will push crazy to the car in front”: Fernando Alonso shares his take on penalties in Qatar GP weekend
Fernando Alonso found Max Verstappen’s penalty during the Qatar GP qualifying odd, noting that George Russell was equally slow on his cooldown lap. Speaking to media, including Sportskeeda, after the race, the Aston Martin driver expressed satisfaction with the overall stewarding and race direction over the weekend but questioned the consistency of the penalty.
Verstappen was penalized for failing to meet the maximum delta time on his cooldown lap, as per the race director’s instructions. In the post-race press conference, the Dutchman suggested that Russell had played a role in influencing the decision against him.
With Rui Marques stepping in as the new race director for only his second race after Niels Wittich’s dismissal, the Qatar GP weekend presented a challenging test. Marques simultaneously managed his previous role as F2 race director, given that the junior series was also in action in Qatar. Despite the complexity, Alonso empathized with Marques and praised the FIA for handling the demanding weekend well.
However, regarding the stewards’ decision, Fernando Alonso questioned the logic behind Verstappen’s penalty, suggesting it set a precedent where drivers could push ahead to avoid a sanction. He humorously remarked that he might try this tactic on a cooldown lap in Abu Dhabi to avoid penalties.
Asked by Sportskeeda if he was satisfied with the new race direction and stewarding at the eventful Qatar GP event, Fernando Alonso said:
“I think it was okay. Max penalty yesterday, I don't know, I only read the news that he was one place penalty for, I don't know, he was slow. But George was in a slow lap as well. So in Abu Dhabi, if I'm in a slow lap, I will push crazy to the car in front to have a penalty, I guess, you know, if he's impeding me. So yeah, that's the only thing that we need to be careful.”
He added:
“I think they have a tough race here, they’ve been monitoring F2 and F1 in the same weekend and they still do a good job. So it’s only the second race for the race director, so so far I think he’s doing a very good job. I am happy at the moment.”
Fernando Alonso opts out of tire test in Abu Dhabi citing fatigue as the reason
Fernando Alonso has opted out of the post-Abu Dhabi GP tire test, citing fatigue and ongoing health issues as key reasons. The 42-year-old Aston Martin driver revealed that he has been struggling with health problems since the Mexican GP, where he arrived with an intestinal infection that prevented him from participating in FP1.
Between the races in Mexico and Brazil, Alonso traveled to Europe to seek treatment from a specialist, hoping to recover fully. However, his health concerns persisted, impacting his ability to perform at his peak. When asked about skipping the tire test, the double world champion explained that the challenges of the past four races had taken a toll, and he felt the need to prioritize rest and recovery after the season finale.
Asked why he was not a part of the end-of-the-season tire test in Abu Dhabi, Fernando Alonso replied:
“I'm tired. I'm tired and you know it's no secret that I've been struggling physically for four races now. It seems that I'm now out of the darkness and I feel good today. I felt good in Las Vegas that I wanted to race immediately after Vegas. But I think I need to stop and take care of myself a little bit as well.”
Despite Aston Martin’s challenging season, Fernando Alonso has consistently delivered competitive performances, proving his skill and resilience in the midfield battle. The Spanish driver currently sits ninth in the Drivers’ Championship with 68 points, contributing the lion’s share of Aston Martin’s 92-point tally, which secures them fifth place in the Constructors’ Championship. With just one race remaining on the calendar, Alonso, like the rest of the F1 paddock, is eager to conclude the season on a strong note and recharge during the winter break.