Fernando Alonso has revealed his plan for future qualifying sessions after Max Verstappen’s one-place grid drop in last weekend’s Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix.
The Dutchman set the fastest lap time last weekend in qualifying at the Lusail International Circuit before his later penalty bumped him back down to second.
The stewards determined that Verstappen had impeded Mercedes’ George Russell whilst both drivers were on out laps building towards their final runs in Q3.
Verstappen argued but to no avail as the decision stood, prompting fans and media alike to be left puzzled by the outcome of the investigation.
However, out of the bizarre punishment has come a revelation for two-time F1 champion Alonso, who has vowed to exploit the regulations to the maximum.
“I only read the news that it was a one-place penalty for, I don’t know,” Alonso told media including Motorsport Week.
“He was slow, but George was on a slow lap as well.
“So in Abu Dhabi, if I’m in a slow lap, I will push crazy to the car in front to have penalty I guess, if he’s impeding me.”
Alonso sympathises with new F1 race director
Despite all the controversy surrounding Verstappen’s penalty, Alonso took the time to applaud the new race director, Rui Marques, for the job he has done to date.
He acknowledged: “I think they have a tough race here.
“They’ve been monitoring F2 and F1 in the same weekend, and they still do a good job.
“It’s only the second race for the race director – so far, I think he’s doing a very good job.”
Alonso finished seventh in Qatar, his first points finish in four races after he capitalised on penalties, punctures and retirements ahead to finish inside the top 10.
When asked about the race, Alonso reviewed: “Sunday for us, a lot of points, six points for the team, P7.
“It’s better than we anticipated, we capitalized on some of the action in front of us, some DNFs, some penalties.
“We were ready there to take the opportunity and [I am] happy for that.”
READ MORE: Fernando Alonso didn’t become ‘slow from day to night’ amid Qatar Q3 appearance
Discussion about this post