Fernando Alonso faced controversy again with the FIA, but this weekend’s US Grand Prix intensified the tension surrounding the sport’s governing body. The incident, among the many debates tied to the International Automobile Federation, stood out as particularly jarring for fans and teams alike.
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Alonso was penalized with 30 seconds and lost relevant points
The Spaniard climbed through the field from the back and benefited from the safety car triggered by Bottas’ exit. Yet the drama peaked when he overtook Lance Stroll, who is set to be his Aston Martin teammate next season. After Alonso had already outpaced several rivals, including Stroll, the Canadian changed course and collided with him. The impact left Alonso’s rival with minor damage, though the wing remained intact.
Historical turn and controversial sanction
What followed is now well known. After a late stop to repair nose and tires, Alonso rejoined the race in a damaged car, briefly airborne, before a suspension issue appeared and only the right mirror could still bounce. The episode sparked a series of debates about safety and penalties in the paddock.
Alonso’s words and the breathless moments after he left the car while in contact with Stroll were captured in this week’s Formula 1 coverage. The moment was widely shared by fans and media outlets alike, illustrating the emotional intensity of the race weekend.
The driver managed to move up to seventh place, finishing sixth overall, only to be overtaken by a faster car on fresher tires in the closing laps. As Kevin Magnussen climbed, Alonso’s car lost its hanging mirror, prompting Haas to gamble on strategic decisions. The FIA later predicted an appeal from the North American team and issued a 30-second penalty that dropped Alonso from the points.
Alpine claimed
The sanction sparked anger across the paddock. Not only from Alpine, but from other members of the sport’s community who questioned how Alonso could be punished so severely for a situation they saw as influenced by the incident with Stroll. There were also notes that, if race control deemed the damaged car unsafe, the black-and-orange flag should have required the driver to stop and repair the damage on the spot.
Each new point in the narrative seemed increasingly absurd to observers. Calls for FIA clarity intensified. Questions about consistency, enforcement, and whether the sport is truly guided by fair rules dominated discussions among fans and commentators alike. Alonso finished P15, and reactions reflected a broader debate about the governing body’s decisions.
Meanwhile, Haas put forward a request for a 24-minute timeout, highlighting ongoing concerns about governance and process. Alpine filed protests, and the FIA summoned the team to a meeting in Mexico City. The French constructor found it hard to accept a 30-second penalty for Alonso, while Stroll, implicated in the incident, faced only a few positions worth of penalty. Russell received a five-second penalty for a separate first-lap collision with Sainz.
Alonso broke his silence
In the aftermath, Alonso’s stance was sought and shared. Acknowledgments from those close to him emphasized a call for rule clarity and consistency moving forward. The discussion extended to the sport’s future, with fans hoping for reforms that would better align penalties with on-track events and safety considerations.
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Alpine’s response to Alonso’s sanction
After the turbulence, a broader dialogue about governance in Formula 1 continued. Observers cautioned that future decisions would shape the sport’s trajectory and its perception among fans, teams, and sponsors alike. The season’s outcome and the governing body’s approach to penalties remained central to ongoing debates within the paddock and among analysts.
As the season unfolded, the perspective from Oviedo became part of the wider narrative. Fans followed the updates on social media, noting the importance of forthcoming announcements from the FIA and from teams about how rules would be interpreted moving forward. The general sentiment reflected a shared hope that future decisions would reinforce fairness and transparency across the grid.