The Verstappen-Russell controversy continues. According to Fernando Alonso, a driver’s nationality could be a determining factor in the assignment of penalties.
Amidst George Russell’s version, which portrays an angry world champion, and Max Verstappen’s claim that he “didn’t want to impede anyone” during the recent Formula 1 event in Qatar, there is the voice of Fernando Alonso. The Spaniard has heavily criticized the FIA regarding the penalty handed to the Dutch driver for blocking the final flying lap of the British Mercedes driver during qualifying at the Lusail circuit last weekend.
During the media day, at a time when the FIA’s decisions are widely criticized for their apparent inconsistency, Fernando Alonso reportedly stated that the penalty given to Max Verstappen, which cost him pole position, was influenced by the four-time world champion’s nationality. He accused the governing body of showing clear favoritism towards British drivers. However, it should be noted that, in fairness, Lando Norris, a British driver, was also penalized with a 10-second stop-and-go penalty for not slowing down under double yellow flags during the Qatar Grand Prix, a sanction that irreparably compromised his race.
“The thing is, sometimes when they apply a rule or a penalty to someone, why don’t we follow that route? In the next race, it’s not applicable anymore, sometimes it depends on your nationality. If I did (what Russell did)I probably wouldn’t get the same benefit that George got there in Lusail. Or maybe my incident in Australia – a contact 30 meters from me, someone goes off-track, and I get a penalty. Sometimes you wonder if the positions were reversed, would I have received the same treatment? That’s what I sometimes say, ” the Spaniard commented, recalling when he had to serve a 20-second penalty for a “potentially dangerous” maneuver following his incident with George Russell in Melbourne.