Aston Martin will not appeal Fernando Alonso penalty for incident with George Russell at Australian Grand Prix | F1 News

Aston Martin is not going to attraction Fernando Alonso’s penalty on the Australian Grand Prix after the Spaniard was deemed to drive in a “doubtlessly harmful” method in entrance of George Russell.

Alonso was handed a 20-second time penalty for the way in which by which he approached Flip Six on the penultimate lap of the race, dropping him from sixth to eighth within the remaining classification – a choice issued by stewards greater than three hours after the tip of the race.

Following the post-race investigation, which included the examine of knowledge, replays and interviews with each drivers, stewards mentioned telemetry from Alonso’s automobile confirmed that the Aston Martin had “lifted barely greater than 100m sooner than he ever had going into” Flip Six on the penultimate lap of the race as Russell chased him down.

Alonso claimed that he was merely making an attempt to make sure a greater exit from the upcoming nook, with Russell making use of heavy stress because the pair approached the DRS zones by which the Mercedes driver, on brisker tyres, would seemingly have had his finest likelihood of overtaking.

Aston Martin had the precise to attraction however have determined to not achieve this, two days after the race.

“To obtain a 20-second time penalty when there was no contact with the next automobile has been a bitter capsule to swallow, however we now have to simply accept the choice,” mentioned Aston Martin workforce principal Mike Krack.

“We made our greatest case however with out new proof we’re unable to request a proper of overview.”

Krack: Alonso would by no means put anybody in hurt’s method

Alonso says he was “stunned” by the penalty and took to social media after the race to present examples of battles he is had since his F1 profession started in 2001, the place he took totally different racing strains and speeds into corners to assault and defend. He identified his duels with Michael Schumacher at Imola in 2005 and 2006, plus his battle in opposition to Sergio Perez in Brazil as examples.

Russell’s accident turned Mercedes’ dangerous weekend right into a nightmare as they failed to attain factors for the primary time because the 2021 Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

The British driver known as for a purple flag a number of occasions however solely a Digital Security Automotive was deployed on the final lap of the race.

Krack reiterated Russell’s security was the primary thought on Aston Martin’s thoughts, earlier than reiterating Alonso was utilizing his expertise to defend in opposition to the Mercedes driver.

“In motorsport, everyone seems to be relieved that George was OK and walked away after his accident,” Krack wrote.

“I need you to know that we totally assist Fernando, he’s essentially the most skilled driver in System 1 historical past. He has competed in additional Grands Prix than anybody else and has greater than 20 years of expertise. He’s a a number of world champion in a number of classes.

“Fernando is an outstanding racer and he was utilizing each instrument in his toolbox to complete forward of George – identical to we noticed in Brazil final yr with Sergio [Perez].

“That is the artwork of motorsport on the highest degree, he would by no means put anybody in hurt’s method.

“Thanks to everybody who has bought in contact, we transfer ahead collectively.”

Chandhok: Alonso crossed a line with early braking

Sky Sports activities F1’s Karun Chandhok on the incident:

“There is a strategy to drive tactically, and there is a method that that goes barely past what’s being judged as truthful, and on this occasion, it appears like that was the case.

“If I take a look at Alonso’s instance of Imola 2005 that he cited, that was good tactical driving by him, positioning the automobile in the precise place on the proper time, slowing the nook entry to get a greater exit. However it was accomplished in a in a predictable method, and I believe that’s the key phrase right here, predictable.

“Lots of people have referenced Kevin Magnussen’s driving in Jeddah, questioning the way it was okay for him to deliberately decelerate the sphere there, however Alonso bought accomplished for the transfer in Melbourne.

“There was a predictability in what Magnussen was doing. He was driving in a tactical method, slowing down mid-corner in lengthy radius corners the place there was just one line, so no one had the chance to overhaul him. However it was accomplished in a method that the automobiles behind knew what he was doing.

“In Fernando’s case, taking a look at among the GPS information as effectively, what’s fairly clear is, in distinction to his personal driving in the previous couple of laps, he appeared to again off and brake considerably earlier on this lap after which accelerated and braked once more. And that is the place the unpredictability got here in for George.

“I believe any driver on the planet would have clearly tried to brake early to get a great exit, I believe the place this maybe crossed the road is it was a lot earlier, a lot in order that he the truth is needed to velocity up once more.”

System 1’s greatest ever season continues with the Japanese Grand Prix, reside on Sky Sports activities F1 from April 5-7. Stream every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime

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