Nate SaundersGeneral Editor, F12 Minute Read
Fernando Alonso has been stripped of what would have been his a centesimal Formula One podium after a postrace penalty on the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
The choice elevated George Russell into third, giving Mercedes a purpose to have a good time after a tricky begin to the 12 months, however not earlier than Alonso had been allowed to have a good time on the rostrum and acquire his trophy.
During the race Alonso had served a five-second penalty forward of his first pit cease, a punishment for lining up exterior his grid field at first.
It later emerged Aston Martin had touched his automobile to conduct the pit-stop earlier than the 5 seconds had elapsed.
The FIA confirmed his 10-second penalty shortly after the rostrum ceremony, one thing Alonso was annoyed by because the incident in query occurred mid-way via the race.
“Today is not good for the fans,” the Spaniard mentioned.
“When you have 35 laps to apply the penalty and you wait until after the podium, there is something wrong in the system.
“I really feel sorry for the followers, however I loved the rostrum, I took the trophy, I’ve the images, I celebrated with the champagne, and now 15 or 12 factors does not change a lot for me, however it’s a little bit unhappy for the FIA, sure.”
He also said he felt bad that it denied Russell and Mercedes a moment to celebrate.
“It’s not truthful for George and the Mercedes sponsors; they’d like to be on the rostrum.
“If he was third in the race he should enjoy the podium and not me, I feel sorry for George, for Mercedes sponsors, for George’s fans.”
The stewards’ verdict mentioned the FIA and the groups have beforehand agreed “that no part of the car could be touched while a penalty was being served as this would constitute working on the car.”
It added: “In this case, it was clear, that the car was touched by the rear jack. Based on the representation made to the Stewards that there was an agreed position that touching the car would amount to “working” on the car, the Stewards decided to impose a penalty”
Lewis Hamilton completed 10.3 seconds behind Alonso within the race, that means the Aston Martin driver narrowly prevented shedding two positions to Mercedes.
The choice is in line with the penalty Esteban Ocon obtained for not serving a penalty appropriately through the Bahrain Grand Prix.
The penalty price Aston Martin the prospect to safe a primary back-to-back F1 podiums, with Alonso additionally ending third in Bahrain.
The Red Bull duo swapped positions from that opening race, with Sergio Perez beating teammate Max Verstappen, who began fifteenth, to the win.
