Damon Hill believes that Fernando Alonso’s tactics during the Australian GP were not incorrect. Alonso, along with Damon Hill and George Russell, were involved in an intense battle for sixth place on the final lap of the race. The abrupt braking by the Aston Martin driver, considered dangerous by the stewards, resulted in Russell’s frightening crash. This incident raised numerous questions about Alonso’s aggressive driving style. Some individuals within the Formula 1 community labeled it as a «handbrake turn», while others argued that it was within the bounds of fair play.
After the race, an investigation resulted in a 20-second penalty for Alonso, costing the two-time champion two positions on the grid. Former Formula 1 world champion Damon Hill expressed his thoughts on the incident, defending the Spaniard against his critics. Hill emphasized that Alonso’s early braking maneuver was simply part of the sport and highlighted that such moves are inherent risks in motorsport.
Hill also praised Alonso’s move as a smart and shrewd decision. He concluded by stating that unexpected actions are a fundamental aspect of racing and that George Russell’s collision with the wall cannot be solely attributed to the fault of the two-time world champion.
After the Australian Grand Prix, commentator Martin Brundle shared his thoughts on the incident after it was officially announced that Fernando Alonso had received a 20-second penalty. The Sky Sports F1 journalist discussed what Alonso had communicated to the stewards in response to the unusual incident.
Brundle added that Alonso’s technique reminded him of a similar move he made on David Coulthard during the race at Nurburgring in 2003. The 20-second penalty imposed on Alonso continues to be a topic of heated debate among fans and experts.
