Fernando Alonso believes FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem is “always on board” with Formula 1 drivers’ opinions amid the Spaniard’s claim of unfair treatment.
Alonso felt aggrieved when Lewis Hamilton went unpunished for his involvement in a first-lap clash in the Miami Sprint, citing that it was “because he’s not Spanish”.
“I will speak with Mohammed [Ben Sulayem], with the FIA,” Alonso added to DAZN, to protect “the future generation of the Spanish drivers.”
Alonso was in a better mood following Sunday’s Grand Prix at the Miami International Autodrome as he approached the media in the belly of the Hard Rock Stadium.
The Spaniard had converted a 15th-place grid slot into a welcome ninth-place points finish on Sunday and reflected on the positive discussions held with Ben Sulayem.
“Yeah, I spoke with [Ben Sulayem] yesterday,” Alonso said.
“He’s always on board with every opinion that the drivers have.
“He knows that we are the ones driving the cars and that we can have some suggestions on things.
“There are a couple of points that we need to address as a sport.
“He always listens to us, between all, if we make F1 a better sport and a little bit more consistent.”
Alonso has been at odds with the stewards on several occasions this season.
The first came after the Australian Grand Prix, when Russell had a big impact with the wall following a crash at Turn 6, allegedly triggered by the defensive driving tactics employed by Alonso.
Although they didn’t touch, the stewards decreed that Alonso drove in a manner that was “potentially dangerous” and handed him a 20-second time penalty and three penalty points.
Alonso said the discussion with the stewards would “100%” not have occurred had Russell avoided crashing.
Then in the China Sprint, Alonso was given a 10-second time penalty and three penalty points, taking him halfway to a race ban, after he collided with Carlos Sainz attempting a Turn 9 overtaking manoeuver at the Shanghai circuit.
Aston Martin submitted a Right To Review, but that was thrown out by stewards.
Intriguingly, Ben Sulayem was under investigation for allegedly lobbying for a penalty against Alonso to be overturned at the 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, but the President of the world motorsport governing body was cleared of the allegations.
However, should Alonso feel perturbed by any further race-stewarding actions, rest assured he will be making another call to the FIA President’s office to give his driver’s opinion.
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