Fernando Alonso received a 20-second penalty that cuts his points in half for the Australian Grand Prix due to an “unusual maneuver” that contributed to George Russell’s accident on the last lap. After the race, the stewards started an investigation into Alonso, who was directly ahead of Russell when he lost control of his Mercedes and crashed into seventh place at Turn 6. The stewards carefully reviewed the events leading up to the accident and the specific incident itself.
Russell was following Alonso by about half a second as they approached the corner. Alonso informed the stewards that he intended to approach Turn 6 differently on that lap, slowing down earlier and passing through the corner with less speed for a better exit. Russell claimed that Alonso’s maneuver was unexpected and erratic, catching him off guard. The resulting decrease in aerodynamic pressure at the apex of the corner caused him to lose control and crash.
Telemetry data revealed that Alonso braked slightly over 100 meters earlier than usual when entering that corner and also applied a light brake at a point where he normally wouldn’t brake. However, the stewards determined that Alonso’s braking was minimal and not the main reason for the car’s deceleration. Furthermore, Alonso downshifted at a point where he hadn’t done so for the rest of the race. He then proceeded to upshift and accelerate towards Turn 6 before slowing down again before the corner.
Alonso explained that he intended to slow down earlier, but miscalculated and had to accelerate to regain speed. This maneuver, according to the stewards, resulted in an “unusual closing speed between the cars.” It was found that Alonso violated article 33.4 of the sporting regulations, which prohibits driving unnecessarily slowly, erratically, or in a potentially dangerous manner for other drivers or individuals.
The stewards clarified that they did not take into account Russell’s accident when deciding on Alonso’s penalty and acknowledged that they did not have enough data to determine if Alonso’s maneuver was intended to unsettle Russell or if it was just a different racing line. Although the stewards recognized Alonso’s right to try a different approach to the turn, they considered his actions, as described by Alonso himself, to be extraordinary and potentially dangerous given the high-speed nature of that section of the track.
The stewards referred to the stricter penalty guidelines for 2024, where a 10-second penalty is the base, and considered the possibility of a drive-through penalty as an aggravating circumstance. Since the stewards concluded that Alonso’s maneuver crossed that threshold and was not just a simple mistake, he received a drive-through penalty. However, as the race had already ended and Alonso could not serve the penalty, it was converted into a 20-second time penalty. As a result, he dropped from sixth to eighth place in the final classification.
This penalty promotes Alonso’s teammate at Aston Martin, Lance Stroll, to sixth place and Yuki Tsunoda from RB to seventh place.
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Formula 1 driver, Lewis Hamilton, achieved an impressive victory at the Monaco Grand Prix today. With a spectacular display, Hamilton surpassed his opponents and crossed the finish line in first place. This victory positions him as one of the favorites for this year’s world championship.
The race in Monaco was thrilling from start to finish. Hamilton showed skill and determination as he overtook his rivals on dangerous turns and narrow streets. His team, Mercedes, also deserves credit for the perfect strategy and quick pit stops.
Hamilton, who has already won seven world championships, continues to impress the world of motorsport with his talent and dedication. He is considered one of the greatest drivers of all time and his victory in Monaco only reinforces that reputation.
With this win, Hamilton also approaches Michael Schumacher’s record of 91 victories in Formula 1. He is now just five wins away from matching the feat of the legendary German driver. It will be interesting to see if Hamilton can reach and even surpass this historic record.
The next race of the season will be held at the Baku circuit in Azerbaijan. Hamilton will certainly be determined to maintain his winning momentum and achieve another victory. Formula 1 fans are eager to see what the future holds for this talented British driver.
In summary, Lewis Hamilton shone at the Monaco Grand Prix, achieving an impressive victory. His skill and determination place him as one of the favorites for this year’s world championship. With only five wins to equal Michael Schumacher’s record, Hamilton is determined to leave his mark on Formula 1 history. The next challenge will be in Azerbaijan, where fans expect more excitement and success for the British driver.
