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alonso finds penalty for sainz in australia too harsh

Alonso stands up for Sainz: 'Penalty from stewards a bit too harsh'

2 April 2023 at 17:23
Last update 2 April 2023 at 18:46
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  • GPblog.com

Carlos Sainz had a solid Sunday in Australia, although one slip cost him dearly. On the last restart, he tapped Fernando Alonso into the lap and was actually the instigator of all the chaos that followed. The Ferrari driver was given a five-second time penalty, but Alonso himself thinks that might be a bit harsh.

Sainz himself expressed his displeasure with the race committee's decision, believing that some incidents are always handled more leniently by the stewards. In his case, however, he still received a penalty.

What does Alonso think of FIA's decision?

"Yeah, I mean, probably the penalty is too harsh," Alonso assessed in the press conference at the Albert Park Circuit. "I think because, on Lap One, it is very difficult always to judge what the grip level, and I think we don't go intentionally into another car, you know?

The 41-year-old Spaniard continued: "Because we know that we risk also our car and our final position, so sometimes you ended up in places that you wish you were not there in that moment. And it's just part of racing, but I didn't see the replay properly, but for me, it feels too hard."

Alonso finished on the podium for the third time this season. After three Grands Prix, he stands on 45 points, good for third place in the championship.