Fernando Alonso says he feels sad for George Russell and Mercedes over not being able to celebrate a podium finish at Formula 1’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Alonso finished the race in third position but was handed a 10-second time penalty post-race after it was deemed that he did not correctly serve a penalty at his pit stop.
There was no notification during the race that the FIA was investigating the situation.
The outcome of the penalty meant that Alonso was demoted to fourth, promoting Russell to third, with the Mercedes driver informed of the development while conducting TV interviews.
“Today is not good for the fans when you have 35 laps to apply the penalty and inform about the penalty and you wait after the podium,” said Alonso.
“There is something really wrong in the system, it’s the way it is, I feel sorry for the fans, but I really enjoyed the podium, I took the trophy, I have the pictures, I celebrate with the champagne and now 15 or 12 points doesn’t change much for me.
“It’s not fair for George as I guess the Mercedes sponsors will love to be on the podium, for us it’s good, we have [title partner] Aramco, we have the pictures.
“It’s not fair for George as if he really was third in the race he should enjoy the podium and not me, I feel sorry for George, for Mercedes sponsors, for George fans.”
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