The two-time Formula 1 champion was penalized by 20 seconds after braking unusually at turn six at Albert Park on the penultimate lap, causing Mercedes driver George Russell to lose control and severely damage his car, which ended up sideways in the middle of the track. Russell urgently requested the race to be stopped. In response, Alonso stated that he was aware of Russell’s proximity and had been closely following him for several laps. He explained that he was pushing to maximize his pace, but acknowledged that it had been a challenging race and a tough weekend overall.
Aston Martin team principal Mike Krack expressed his support for Alonso in a letter to fans on social media. He highlighted Alonso’s extensive experience in Formula 1, having competed in more races than any other driver and won multiple world championships in various categories. Krack acknowledged that it was disappointing to receive a 20-second penalty without any contact between the cars, but they had to accept the decision. He also stated that Alonso did everything in his power to finish ahead of Russell and would never put anyone in danger on the track. (Reporting by Alan Baldwin; Additional quotes by Agnes Carlier)
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