Alonso's Take On The Current Driving Standards In F1...
Following Fernando Alonso being hit by Alexander Albon on the first lap of the US Grand Prix in Austin, which, according to Aston Martin's chief trackside officer Mike Krack, resulted in a significant loss of downforce, the two-time world champion criticized the current driving standards in Formula 1.
"When you start at the back, there's always this risk. I believe the quality of drivers in the lower third of the grid is quite low, as demonstrated today with Alex. So, we need to improve the car and start a bit higher up," Alonso remarked in the media pen after Sunday’s race at the Circuit of the Americas.
Although this was understandably a comment made in the heat of the moment—especially since Aston Martin's pace was, according to Alonso, strong enough to compete for points—he emphasized during the media day in Mexico City that he stands by his words.
"I don't know if it's one third of the grid, because then I saw some reports trying to identify eight or seven drivers. I'm not specific about the number, but I think we all know who we're talking about and who felt targeted by that comment," he explained. "That says it all, so I still feel the same. That was an unnecessary mistake, and I still struggle to understand what opportunity Alex saw in that moment. But it's not only Austin. Unfortunately, I've been in that part of the race all season, so I see things from the car that I can't share."
When asked by Motorsport.com if he had noticed a decline in driving standards in F1, Alonso clarified: "No, I think it's been the same over the years. Obviously, when you're at the back of the grid, the cars are harder to drive. They have less grip, and mistakes happen more often because you don't have a controlled environment. The car doesn't welcome you nicely, so you make more mistakes.
"But I feel that all the incidents on lap one, all the collisions, all the flying front wings, these things are unnecessary. Especially if you're fighting for nothing at the back of the grid. The cost cap also adds to this problem, but if teams are okay with the cost cap and breaking things every race, that's their choice." These final words are particularly interesting since Williams team principal James Vowles has repeatedly called for a reassessment of the cost cap. Nonetheless, Alonso subtly suggests that avoiding damage could benefit his team as well, even without such a reassessment.
Alonso doesn't see the issue of driving standards as primarily related to the stewards, who may not always be consistent, but rather to the teams and drivers themselves. "No, I think it's not the stewards' job unless something is clearly unsafe. So it's not part of their responsibilities. It's about the ambitions of those drivers and what they want for the future."
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