Fernando Alonso claims “99% of people cannot understand” the team radio exchanges that occur during a Formula 1 grand prix weekend.
Alonso’s radio comments became a talking point at last month’s Japanese Grand Prix after he told his team “You’ve thrown me to the lions” following an early pit stop.
That left Alonso vulnerable to other cars later in the race, particularly amid Aston Martin’s straight-line speed deficit at Suzuka.
The Spaniard downplayed the conversation afterwards, citing that it’s “classic FOM [Formula One Management], [taking team radio] completely out of context.”
Expanding on his remark in Qatar, Alonso expressed that spectators can’t grasp the context of any dialogue that is released as they aren’t privy to prior discussions.
“Yeah, I have no problem at all,” he began. “Obviously, in Suzuka it has been, yeah… It was difficult to get the point of the media. Even, I think, last Monday Motorsport.com still put in the radio.
“So it was one week after Suzuka, saying that I was in traffic after my stop, which I was a little surprised, because I don’t know what negativity is on that, discussing with the team.
“And obviously you have no information about how the weekend goes, you know, the meetings that we have on Sunday morning. Even on the grid, you know, the conversation on the grid on Sunday in Suzuka, we were talking, ‘don’t stop too early, because then with our lack of speed on the straights, we will be in traffic and we will get stuck’.
“So, when the radio comes out, obviously the level of maturity and complexity on the comments, 99% of the people cannot understand.”
Meanwhile, Nico Hulkenberg sees “no problem” with the matter and believes that every driver understands the “consequences” of an outburst on team radio.
“Personally, you know, no problem with that,” the Haas driver chimed in.
“I think we all know that if you say something interesting, worthy, it will be out there. So we know the consequences. And obviously we have control of that. We don’t have to say it.
“But obviously sometimes in the heat of the moment or an emotional moment, you do have an outburst or whatever. I think it’s fine. You know, we’re racing, but at the end of the day we’re also entertainment. And that’s an extra element of entertainment. So yeah, all good.”
Alfa Romeo’s Zhou Guanyu also sided with Hulkenberg’s view on the situation, adding that it provides “a little bit of entertainment” to the fans watching back home.
“The teams hear everything, but I think all of that is decided by Formula 1, which radio is being published out to the people watching at home,” Zhou noted.
“I think it adds a little bit of entertainment to the sport but of course some of them you say… You always have to be a little bit careful with what you say, because it could be quite bad for you. But it’s fine. It’s the same for everyone.”
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