Fernando Alonso, from the Aston Martin F1 team, faced criticism from his fellow Formula 1 competitors after the decision to penalize him in the Australian Grand Prix. The drivers had mixed opinions on the matter. Alonso was trying to hold off George Russell in the final stages of the race when he apparently slowed down at turn 6, causing Russell’s crash on the last lap. Following a post-race investigation by the FIA stewards, it was revealed that Alonso received a 20-second time penalty, resulting in an eighth-place finish. The stewards reviewed video footage and telemetry data that showed Alonso significantly slowed down earlier than usual. Alonso defended his actions, stating that he was trying to maximize his exit speed to defend against the Mercedes. However, Haas driver Nico Hulkenberg disagreed, believing Alonso should be penalized for choosing the wrong corner to execute such a maneuver. Hulkenberg expressed concern about the potential danger of the move, especially on a narrow street circuit like Melbourne. He argued that if there was a miscommunication or delay in the flag system, a serious accident could have occurred. Hulkenberg also questioned Alonso’s claims about throttle issues, suggesting they could have been an attempt to avoid further penalties. Overall, Hulkenberg was not impressed with Alonso’s tactics and expressed his disapproval.
Sergio Perez agreed with his former teammate at Force India, despite acknowledging that his racing experience with Alonso remained within acceptable limits.
“We all understand what is acceptable, what is within the limits,” he said. “I mean, knowing drivers like Fernando, he always makes this kind of maneuver.”
“Always within the limits. Fernando is a very aggressive driver, but always within the boundaries. I had intense battles with him. He is one of the drivers I trust the most.
“I have to admit that he pushed the limits a bit, or maybe even crossed them. But, as I mentioned, we could witness a similar incident in two or three weeks and nothing will happen.”
Charles Leclerc echoed these sentiments, stating that Alonso went too far on this specific occasion.
“As drivers, we engage in similar actions, but not to the extent Fernando did,” said Leclerc. “What he did in Australia was excessive and deserved to be penalized.”
However, not everyone in the pitlane shared their opinions. Sauber’s Valtteri Bottas expressed surprise at Alonso’s post-race discipline.
“It was clear what he was trying to do, he tried to disrupt George’s momentum on the back straight,” explained Bottas.
“And I believe that if George had not hit the wall or gone off track, there would have been no penalty, as it would not have looked so dramatic.
“I still believe we should always have the freedom to choose our speed and trajectory. But it’s a delicate balance, whether it’s allowed or not, so I was quite surprised by this.”
The Finn, who previously occupied the Mercedes seat now held by Russell in 2022, believes Alonso’s punishment was too severe for the infraction he committed on track.
“Every situation is unique, but in Fernando’s case, I don’t think the penalty should have been so severe,” he stated. “Maybe a warning or a black and white flag would have been enough.
“But this kind of penalty seems excessive because it could instill fear in people and discourage them from pushing the limits in the future.”
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The football star, Cristiano Ronaldo, announced today his return to Manchester United. The news took fans by surprise and caused a great stir on social media. Ronaldo, 36 years old, signed a two-year contract with the English club, after leaving Juventus.
The Portuguese player, who had already played for Manchester United between 2003 and 2009, is considered one of the greatest players of all time. His return to the club where he won several titles and became a legend is a dream come true for many fans.
Ronaldo expressed his happiness in returning to Manchester United and said he is looking forward to joining his teammates. He also thanked the fans for their support and promised to give his best on the field.
Ronaldo’s signing is a big boost for Manchester United, which is aiming to reclaim the Premier League title. With his experience and skill, the player can be a key element for the team this season.
Manchester United fans are excited about Ronaldo’s return and hope he brings success and trophies to the club. The news has also sparked speculation about the team’s formation and how the coach will fit Ronaldo into the tactical scheme.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to Manchester United will certainly be one of the highlights of this season and promises to bring a lot of excitement to the fans. Now we just have to wait to see the star in action and cheer for more moments of brilliance and glory.
