Fernando Alonso, pilot of the Aston Martin F1 Team AMR24, made a pit stop during the Australian Grand Prix, the third round of the Formula 1 World Championship, held at Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia, on 24.03.2024, which was race day.
Alonso denied that his action of slowing down at Turn 6 on the last lap of the Australian Grand Prix was a “risky” move deserving a penalty. However, the stewards decided to penalize Alonso with a 20-second penalty for his involvement in the incident that caused George Russell to retire from the race at Turn 6 on the last lap.
Before discussing the matter with race officials, Alonso stated in the press area that he had encountered some issues with his car’s battery and that his Aston Martin had undergone changes in the last 15 laps. He further explained that he was concerned about maintaining his position but was pleased to finish in seventh place.
The FIA statement regarding the penalty mentioned that Alonso lifted off the throttle more than 100 meters earlier than he had on any previous lap at that corner. Additionally, he applied a slight amount of brake at a point where he normally wouldn’t, although this minimal braking was not the main reason for his car slowing down. He also downshifted at an unusual point and then upshifted again before accelerating into the corner, only to lift off the throttle once more to navigate it.
Despite admitting to using these driving tactics, which ultimately led to his penalty, Alonso believes that any race driver would have done the same in similar circumstances. He mentioned that George Russell was closing in on him in the final laps and had been within range to activate the Drag Reduction System (DRS) for five or six laps. Therefore, Alonso focused on setting fast laps to stay ahead and aimed to maximize his exit speed from Turn Six to defend against Russell.
“That’s the action any race driver would take, and I didn’t see it as risky.
“It’s disappointing to receive a penalty from the stewards for a race that was tough but fair.
“However, I’m relieved that George is unharmed. It was disturbing to see his car in the middle of the track.”
Team boss Mike Krack expressed surprise at Alonso’s drop from sixth to eighth place due to the penalty, but acknowledged that the team needed to accept the decision.
Nevertheless, Aston Martin secured a double points finish at Albert Park, as Lance Stroll was promoted from seventh to sixth place after the stewards’ intervention.
Alonso believed that Aston’s race pace was below expectations this weekend, but praised the team’s strategy for delivering a solid performance.
“We were lucky with the timing of the Virtual Safety Car when Lewis [Hamilton] retired,” he stated.
“So, I was quite satisfied following Checo [Perez] because it allowed me to take advantage of the DRS and build a gap.
“I lost significant time when Charles [Leclerc] came out of the pits – but the seconds we gained ended up being invaluable in the end.
“It wasn’t our strongest weekend in terms of speed, but we executed the race well: solid strategy, exceptional pit-stops, and exceptional reliability.
“I believe we accumulated more points today than our speed deserved – but we will gladly accept them.”
With Mercedes failing to score any points this weekend, Aston Martin is now just one point behind the Brackley-based team in the Constructors’ standings, with 26 points compared to the Silver Arrows’ 25.
© 2024
The sports world is buzzing with the bombshell news that has just emerged. According to reliable sources, a player of international renown is reportedly on the verge of signing with a new club. The transfer is expected to take place in the coming days and promises to shake up the market.
The player in question is known for his exceptional skills on the field. With a career full of achievements and titles, he has become one of the greatest idols in the sport. His arrival at the new club is sure to make a big impact and raise the expectations of the fans.
The negotiation between the player and the club is at an advanced stage. The parties involved have reportedly reached a financial agreement, with only the official signature remaining for the transfer to be completed. The news has caught many by surprise, as the player had been at the same club for years and seemed content.
It is still unknown what prompted the player to seek a change of scenery. Some speculate that he is looking for new challenges and growth opportunities. Others believe that personal issues may have influenced the decision. Either way, the news is already causing a stir among fans and sports experts.
The new club that is about to have the player in its squad is also excited about the possibility. The signing represents a big investment for the team, but it is believed to be worth it. With the arrival of the player, the club hopes to strengthen its squad and increase its chances of winning important titles.
The expectation now lies in the officialization of the transfer. Fans are eager to see the player wearing the new club’s shirt and stepping onto the field. Meanwhile, speculations and rumors continue to emerge. It remains to be seen how this story will unfold and what the next chapters of this football soap opera will be.
