In a dramatic turn of events at the Red Bull Ring, Fernando Alonso reignites controversy with another jab at F1’s race stewards following a penalty issued to Nico Hulkenberg.
During the Austrian Grand Prix sprint, Fernando Alonso found himself tangled with Nico Hulkenberg on Lap 22 as they battled fiercely for 14th position. Hulkenberg’s audacious move caused him to hit the brakes too late, sending his car into an uncontrolled slide that pushed Alonso off the track. This encounter dropped Alonso two places, providing Daniel Ricciardo an opportunity to slip past the Spaniard as well.
Alonso, known for his candid remarks, didn’t hold back his frustrations. Speaking to F1’s official media outlet, he reflected on the incident, saying, “Nothing really to say, two laps from the end and fighting for 16th. It was probably borderline. If I turned in the corner we would’ve crashed. But I’m Spanish, this is a sprint weekend and I don’t want to be in trouble.”
This isn’t the first time Alonso has critiqued the stewards’ decisions. His comments reference an earlier incident in Miami, where he felt the stewards were biased against Spanish drivers after he was penalized while Lewis Hamilton escaped unscathed in a similar situation. This renewed his critique when the stewards penalized Hulkenberg, issuing a 10-second time penalty and two penalty points, dropping him to 19th in the official standings.
The stewards’ official report cited Hulkenberg’s failed attempt to overtake as the reason for the penalty. They noted that the German driver locked up, missed the apex, and understeered to the track’s edge, thereby preventing Alonso from staying on course. The penalty points mark Hulkenberg’s first on his super license, with the looming threat of a race ban should he accumulate 12 points within a year.
Alonso’s fiery spirit and outspoken nature continue to stir debate within the F1 community. His recent remarks underline a lingering tension with race officials and add another chapter to his storied career. Meanwhile, Hulkenberg now faces the challenge of keeping his license clean to avoid further penalties.
