In Japan, Fernando Alonso used clever tactics for the conclusion of the race. The amusing suggestion was made by Alonso himself that he could potentially face championship disqualification by the FIA for providing DRS assistance to Oscar Piastri in the final laps of the Japanese Grand Prix. Prior to this race, Alonso had faced frustration due to a post-race penalty and super license points received for a controversial defense against George Russell in the previous race in Melbourne.
During the Japanese Grand Prix, Alonso implemented strategic maneuvers as the race neared its end. While holding sixth place, Piastri closely followed in seventh, with Russell quickly approaching in eighth position with fresher tires. Inspired by Carlos Sainz’s approach in the 2023 Singapore Grand Prix, Alonso deliberately slowed down to allow Piastri to benefit from DRS, with the aim of thwarting Russell’s progress.
This tactical move seemed to be effective as it potentially secured their positions until Piastri made a mistake on the penultimate lap, giving Russell the opportunity to overtake. However, Alonso successfully defended his position, contributing eight points to Aston Martin’s overall score.
When questioned about his intentional actions after the race, Alonso humorously criticized the FIA stewards, jokingly suggesting that he could face championship disqualification, similar to his experience in Australia. Piastri, who benefited from Alonso’s tactics, confirmed the intention behind the strategy, noting how Alonso carefully managed the use of his energy to stay within the DRS zone and block Russell’s advancement. However, Piastri admitted a slight mistake in the final chicane.
Despite showing remarkable skill at Suzuka, Alonso expressed dissatisfaction with his overall situation. During an interview with Sky Sports F1, he reflected on his performance and the race result, stating that he had a lot of fun and considered it one of the best weekends in terms of driving. However, he also acknowledged being 44 seconds behind the leader, which diminished the attractiveness of his performance. With mixed feelings about his competitiveness and future in the sport, Alonso’s outlook remains uncertain.
