Fernando Alonso believes the way the aborted start to the Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia was handled was ‘unfair’ to the drivers.
The 56-lap race at Sepang was marred by chaos from the very start. With the heavens opening up, the FIA decided to delay the start.
And as the weather cleared up and the drivers embarked on the formation lap, an inexplicable predicament hit the likes of Lewis Hamilton.
The inherent quirks of the all-new 2026 F1 PUs, coupled with the treacherous conditions out on track, meant the power units malfunctioned owing to errant energy deployment metrics.
Hamilton came to a complete standstill on the back straight, amongst others, with unresponsive throttle inputs. Race Control then decided to abort the start procedure altogether whilst the FIA supplied the teams with a ‘software upgrade’ to combat the engine gremlin.
Alonso, however, believes that the decision to abort the start was something he cannot completely reconcile with.
“I think I’ve had 50 percent DNFs this year. They never stopped the race for us,” he told media including Motorsport Week.
“So yeah, there are eight races to go. If we give this percentage, in four races we will DNF, and we will see four red flags for sure.”
Speaking to Spanish media after the race, the two-time F1 World Champion argued that despite being on the formation lap, the race had officially begun as far as he was concerned.
He insinuated that the decision, therefore, was motivated by a need to keep the spectacle and Hamilton’s race alive than strictly for safety.
“I don’t know what happened; they’ll have to explain it,” he added.
“I’ve had retirements in the middle of races this year, and the race was never stopped because we retired, but it seems that Hamilton was in the gravel and there was stress.
“They had to stop the race so he could rejoin; it’s all been a bit weird. I suppose they’ll explain it to us in Singapore.
“There’s too much technology; in the end, the spectator doesn’t appreciate it.”
Fernando Alonso expects answers after ‘unfair’ F1 Bahrain GP in Malaysia decision
According to the rulebook, the aborted start should have been restarted in the order that the drivers entered the pit lane. But Race Control deemed it fit for the race to begin in the original grid order.
Alonso highlighted other inconsistencies with the decision and explained how he did not believe the start procedure was amended with safety in mind.
When asked if he felt the decision was unfair, he said to media including Motorsport Week, “100 percent. I mean, this is motor racing, you know.”
“I mean, if it’s a safety concern, I get it.
“You know, if there are five cars in the middle of the road or whatever, you know, we have to stop the race and we need to see what’s going on.
“But I think they were out of the race. Even on the wall, you know, they had to push it two metres, the marshals, and retire the car like we do in every, as I said, 50 percent of the races.
“It’s the first time I see, but as I said, right now I don’t have all the info, so maybe there is a clear explanation and it’s OK, you know, I’m not too concerned.”
Despite his unhappiness with how the race was started, it ended on a pretty ecstatic note for the Aston Martin driver with an eighth-place finish at the chequered flag.
READ MORE – Fernando Alonso details Aston Martin ‘miracle’ after shocking Sepang result
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