Alpine wants ‘more fair’ Spanish GP after Alonso penalties

The Alpine F1 team have called for a “more fair” Spanish Grand Prix after Fernando Alonso was hit with a “disappointing” penalty in Miami.

Lewis Larkam

11 May 2022

Alonso took the chequered flag ninth at the inaugural Miami Grand Prix but lost his points finish after the FIA stewards handed the two-time world champion a five-second time penalty for leaving the track and gaining an advantage.

Alonso skipped the chicane on Lap 54 of 57 and took to the run-off in a way that enabled him to move out of DRS range from the chasing Haas of Mick Schumacher behind. Despite the Spaniard raising his hand and lifting in acknowledgement, Alonso was still penalised.

Alonso had already received a five-second time penalty for an earlier collision with AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly at Turn 1.

Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi communicated his displeasure that the team was not allowed to dispute the penalty in a statement issued on Wednesday.

Fernando Alonso (ESP) Alpine F1 Team A522. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 5, Miami Grand Prix, Miami, Florida, USA, Race — Fernando Alonso (ESP) Alpine F1 Team A522. Formula 1 World Championship,…

“A disappointing post-race penalty for Fernando for leaving the track and gaining an advantage means our six points at the chequered flag turned into four points and it has cost us a deserved double points finish,” Rossi said.

"This one is certainly difficult to accept since Fernando handed back the time during the lap and we were not able to present the evidence to clarify the particular situation before the penalty was issued.

“With the opportunity to explain, we’re very confident Fernando would have kept his ninth place.

“We’ll go again next weekend in Spain where we’re determined to piece together a much slicker and, a more fair, race weekend and demonstrate the real potential of our package.”

More penalty points than championship points

After being hit with two penalties in Miami, Alonso now more penalty points (five) than he does championship points (two) five races into the season.

Fernando Alonso (ESP), Alpine F1 Team Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 5, Miami Grand Prix, Miami, Florida, USA, Race — Fernando Alonso (ESP), Alpine F1 Team Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 5,…

Miami marked Alonso’s fourth straight point-less race, two of which were retirements. The 40-year-old lamented his luckless start to 2022 prior to the weekend and said his results do not reflect the level of his performances.

“Obviously it feels a little bit strange to have two points in the championship, after having probably my best start to the season in terms of competitiveness of the last 10 years, maybe from 2012,” he said.

“I was not as competitive as I’ve felt in these first four races. We’ve been extremely unlucky with some of the events that happened: a very easy sixth in Saudi, obviously the problems in Melbourne in qualifying and then the race. And then again in lap one in Imola, we were out of the race.

“It’s a matter of time that the result will come. I feel strong, I feel fast now. The car also feels good. I’m really looking forward to each weekend.”