Fernando Alonso says his early exit from last weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix acts as a “double zero” in his Formula 1 season due to the likelihood of needing to take engine penalties.
Alonso was struck from behind by Renault’s Nico Hulkenberg under braking for La Source, with the Spaniard pitched over the front of Charles Leclerc’s Sauber.
Hulkenberg, Valtteri Bottas, Carlos Sainz Jr. and Stoffel Vandoorne all stocked up on fresh engine components while Alonso profited from those relegations to move forward on the grid.
Alonso has already used his season’s allocation of power units, meaning a penalty is likely to follow at an upcoming Grand Prix.
He is also going to use a new chassis at Monza this weekend due to the damage sustained to his MCL33 at Spa-Francorchamps.
“I was just disappointed and I was definitely worried about the car because these two races are quite important for us in terms of also choosing where to have a power unit penalty and maybe introduce a new engine,” said Alonso.
“Because in Spa, the penalties of Hulkenberg and Bottas and Sainz, we opted not to change the engine in Spa and benefit from the P14 starting position.
“Then first corner you are out of the race and you will have to pay the penalty at this race or later on, so it’s a double zero.
“One in Spa because of another guy and another one when you will take the penalty. So quite a sad day.”
Alonso also revealed that he suffered from back and wrist pain after the accident but stressed that he will be fully fit for Friday’s practice sessions at Monza.
“Honestly the only painful day was Tuesday,” he said.
“I think on Sunday was fine, on Monday was more or less OK but on Tuesday when I woke up I had my back… I felt a little bit sore and a little bit of a pain there. But yesterday was fine and today is fine, so it was all OK after that.
“[On my wrists] it was on Sunday a little bit [painful], and still feeling the heat a little bit there because I think I had the hands on the steering wheel when I touched Leclerc but every day is less and less and it should be OK for tomorrow.”
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