Alonso hits out at F1 for having ‘different rules for different drivers’

Fernando Alonso has hit out at Formula 1 for having ‘different rules for different drivers’ after his trip across the run-off area on the opening lap of the Russian Grand Prix received intense scrutiny.
Fernando Alonso (ESP) Alpine F1 Team A521 runs wide at the start of the race.
Fernando Alonso (ESP) Alpine F1 Team A521 runs wide at the start of the…
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Alonso took to the Turn 2 escape road on the first lap at Sochi having done the same on his way to the grid before the race.

The FIA didn’t investigate the incident after he was deemed not to have gained an advantage, although the move attracted attention on social media after the race.

Speaking ahead of this weekend’s Turkish Grand Prix, Alonso said he did it to “see the questions here in Istanbul” and to prove that the reaction to such moves very depending on which drivers are involved.

“Just to see the questions here in Istanbul, Alonso said in the pre-race press conference. “Just to confirm when I do things they have a different behaviour and a different repercussion on the following event. So now, maybe they change the run-off area in Lap 1 in the first couple of corners.

“I’ve been the idiot on track for most of the championship while I’ve been overtaken from outside of the asphalt for many people in the first couple of races and even in Austria, I remember Austria 1 and Austria 2 and nothing happened, and there were no questions in the following races and now after Sochi, there’s a question. It’s a confirmation.”

Alonso appeared to take another dig at the stewards for not penalising Lando Norris after he crossed the pit entry line when recovering to the pit lane on dry tyres in wet conditions.

The Spaniard was asked to clarify his first answer, he replied: “Confirmation of many things. One that there are different rules for different people or different talks the week after for different people. Let’s see the next one that crosses the white line on the pit entry, let’s see which nationality he is and which penalty he will get.”

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