Breaking news
Formula 1 Japanese GP
Alonso says penalty shows "how bad Formula 1 is"
Fernando Alonso says the penalty he was handed in the Japanese Grand Prix shows "how bad Formula 1 is" with its race stewarding.
Pablo Elizalde
Published: Oct 7, 2018, 8:35 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Alonso was given a five-second penalty for leaving the track and gaining an advantage after he was sent onto the grass by Lance Stroll's Williams as the duo braked for the final chicane early in the race.
The stewards found Stroll guilty in the incident and also handed him a five-second penalty for the contact and for pushing the McLaren off track.
The Spanish driver was also awarded one penalty point, while Stroll - who later apologised to Alonso - received two.
Alonso, who finished the race in 14th, admitted he was baffled by his penalty and said it showed how inconsistent F1 penalties are.
"Even when the driver comes to apologise I think it's difficult to understand the decision but you know, this is how bad Formula 1 is," said Alonso.
When asked in what way F1 was "bad", he said: "In the decisions, in the randomness, in the pure consistency.
"You are braking on the outside at the last corner, and one guy didn't see you and came here to apologise after you go on the gravel, and you get the penalty. It's a shame."
The two-time champion, who will leave the sport at the end of the season, did not blame Stroll for the incident.
"He didn't see me. If he sees you and pushes you on the grass it's another thing, but it was just an unfortunate situation in a race situation," he added.
"It doesn't change much because instead of 14th maybe you finish 12th, but it's the way it is."
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Vettel: Verstappen completely to blame for clash
Next article One hand on the title: Hamilton takes Japanese F1 GP win
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Pablo Elizalde
Alpine becomes Pramac's main partner in MotoGP
MotoGP
MotoGP Jan 27, 2025
Alpine becomes Pramac's main partner in MotoGP
Liberty Media's $4bn MotoGP deal facing EU probe
MotoGP
MotoGP Dec 14, 2024
Liberty Media's $4bn MotoGP deal facing EU probe
Ocon wants answers to understand pace slump against Alpine team-mate
Formula 1
Formula 1 Nov 27, 2024
Ocon wants answers to understand pace slump against Alpine team-mate
More from
Fernando Alonso
F1 driver contracts: How long is each driver tied down for?
Formula 1
Formula 1 11 h
F1 driver contracts: How long is each driver tied down for?
Who slept worst last night: Fernando Alonso
Formula 1
Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
4 d
Who slept worst last night: Fernando Alonso
More from
McLaren
What's behind Oscar Piastri's split with Mark Webber – and what it means for his F1 career
Formula 1
Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
4 d
What's behind Oscar Piastri's split with Mark Webber – and what it means for his F1 career
Latest news
Chase Elliott's car chief leaves Hendrick for NASCAR Truck crew chief role
NASCAR Truck
NSTR NASCAR Truck
Homestead
10 min
Chase Elliott's car chief leaves Hendrick for NASCAR Truck crew chief role
“I was getting beat up” – How Daniel Ricciardo burned out on ‘humiliating’ F1 return
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1 4 h
“I was getting beat up” – How Daniel Ricciardo burned out on ‘humiliating’ F1 return
Myers Riley Motorsports adds Andretti alongside returning Fraga for 2027 IMSA GTD campaign
IMSA
IMSA IMSA 4 h
Myers Riley Motorsports adds Andretti alongside returning Fraga for 2027 IMSA GTD campaign
Feature
Discover prime content
Top 10 F1 cars of the 1970s
Formula 1
By Kevin Turner
Top 10 F1 cars of the 1970s
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe