Alonso faces point deduction following clash in China
In the intense Shanghai sprint event, the Spanish driver found himself in a fierce battle with the Ferraris for third place, struggling with rapidly deteriorating tires. The climax came at Turn 9, two laps from the finish, when Alonso and the Ferraris traded positions but collided, resulting in Alonso’s puncture and subsequent pit stop for fresh tires, leading to his retirement from the race.
The incident prompted the stewards to summon both drivers before qualifying to discuss the matter. They concluded that Alonso was at fault for the collision, stating that he had the opportunity to avoid it. Despite retiring, Alonso was penalized with a 10-second addition to his elapsed time, in line with driving standards guidelines agreed upon with the teams.
The stewards highlighted the need for clarity in the regulations regarding penalties for retired cars, especially when they are otherwise classified. They recommended amendments to address this issue and provide greater clarity in such situations.
In his post-race interview with Spanish channel DAZN, Alonso expressed his view that Sainz hadn’t left him as much room during their battle as he had earlier offered to his fellow Spaniard around the circuit.
