For Fernando Alonso, the 2023 Saudi Grand Prix will always be a memorable event. Thanks to his controversial FIA ruling, Aston his Martin driver lost and regained the podium spot within hours. Despite the podium, Alonso criticized F1’s governing bodies for taking a slow decision.
According to ESPN F1, Alonso has criticized the FIA’s decision as insufficient. He went on to say that he was on the platform, taking pictures as the driver of the P3 and enjoying champagne. After all this, a penalty was announced.
100th podium! Great team and fast cars we have!i am proud of you @Aston Martin F1 💙. pic.twitter.com/ozhApWJbc1
— Fernando Alonso (@alo_oficial) March 19, 2023
Also read: Sergio Perez stuns the audience after his monumental victory at the Formula 1 Saudi Grand Prix
The 41-year-old racer added that it took 35 laps to decide on the penalty.
Fernando Alonso stole the podium 🗣 pic.twitter.com/QWQBrewHkW
— ESPN F1 (@ESPNF1) March 19, 2023
It should be mentioned that the slow implementation of the penalty by the Governing Body was bizarre.
How did Alonso get his second penalty?
Alonso was said to have received a five-second time penalty after the race started on the Jeddah Corniche circuit. He was penalized for starting the race from the wrong position.
By regulation, drivers must follow the grid lines when the race is about to start. As soon as he received his penalty, he entered the pit stop while the safety car was in place to give him the upper hand.
🚨 | The FIA has released new documents confirming Fernando Alonso’s 10-second time penalty, explaining that the disqualification is too harsh.
Aston Martin may appeal the decision if it wishes.#F1 #Saudi Arabia Grand Prix pic.twitter.com/E6PRmIV0HO
— Fastest PitStop (@FastestPitStop) March 19, 2023
The FIA has informed the former Ferrari star that he was given an inappropriate penalty after the race ended after over 30 laps. It is believed that one of the pit staff accidentally touched the rear of the car with the rear jack and was not penalized.
According to the FIA, no one is allowed to touch the car while serving the penalty. Touching a car is considered functional and may be penalized. Okon and Alonso experienced this in Bahrain and Jeddah respectively.
Why did the Aston Martin driver take his place back from George Russell?
After receiving a 10-second time penalty, the Silverstone-based team’s driver dropped to fourth place. As a result, George Russell moved up to third, helping Alonso’s efforts. To celebrate the moment, Russell and Mercedes headed for the first trophy of the year but were turned away.
Outraged by the FIA ruling, Aston Martin appealed. Reportedly, they not only discussed the slow nature of penalties, but also gave numerous examples of teams not being penalized when following similar procedures to serve time penalties.
F1 officials eventually reinstated the 41-year-old position to P3. Thus, the ‘El Plan’ man has achieved his 100th career podium and back-to-back title in 2023.
Fernando Alonso has recovered his 100th podium after the FIA decided to withdraw his post-race penalty.
F1 only 🙃 pic.twitter.com/LkmznyxJ7u
— ESPN F1 (@ESPNF1) March 19, 2023
Also read: Ferrari shares shirtless montage of Charles Leclerc, fans go crazy for racer
Cover image source: Twitter
