Fernando Alonso Says F1 Won’t Give Penalty To Lewis Hamilton Because He’s Not Spanish
Formula 1 is in Miami this weekend for the U.S. Grand Prix, and while this season has yet again been the Red Bull show, the competitive racing is off to a flying start.
The sprint race featured several close battles between Visa Cash App RB's Daniel Ricciardo and Ferrari's Carlos Sainz, as well as Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton and Haas' Kevin Magnussen.
Naturally, Max Verstappen started on pole and cruised to another easy win. But sparks started flying on the first lap, as several cars bumped into each other. Lando Norris was knocked out of the race, and the two Aston Martin's of Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll touched as Lewis Hamilton dove on the inside.
It was debatable whether Hamilton should get a penalty for causing a crash or not, but Alonso certainly thought he should. And he also thought he wouldn't…because he's not Spanish.
BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN - Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes talks to the media in the Paddock during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain at Bahrain International Circuit on February 29, 2024. (Photo by Peter Fox - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)
Fernando Alonso Thinks There's Anti-Spanish Bias
According to DAZN, Alonso did not hold back in his criticisms of Hamilton and the FIA.
"We'll see what they decide," Alonso said. "I guess they won't decide anything, because he's not Spanish. But, I think he ruined the race for a few people, especially Norris, who had a very fast car and he was out in that incident."
"Maybe today I didn't get penalized, but I always get penalized," he continued. "Today the same thing. I was behind Ocon, I could maybe take a risk and overtake him, but logically I don't take the risk to avoid being penalized."
He also said the quiet part out loud about how much of the grid feels about sprint races in general, telling the media Aston Martin didn't care about the sprint.
"We didn't have any interest in the sprint race," he explained. "We were just going to check degradation and things for tomorrow and at the end we managed it. For us, it's a free practice, it's not really a race."
Alonso's assertions about the difference in punishment for Spanish drivers compared to others doesn't really stand up to scrutiny…from literally the same race. Kevin Magnussen was given penalty after penalty for aggressive driving, pushing Hamilton off the track repeatedly.
Hamilton may have deserved a penalty for his driving on the first lap, but he's also received plenty of penalties in the past, not to mention the controversial finish to the 2021 driver's championship.
Alonso went out of race qualifying in Q2, putting him well back in the grid for Sunday's race. That won't improve his mood.