P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Fernando Alonso has been given a 20-second time penalty that halves his Australian Grand Prix points total for an “unusual manoeuvre” that contributed to George Russell’s last-lap crash
Fernando Alonso received a 20-second time penalty for an “unusual manoeuvre” that led to George Russell’s crash during the Australian Grand Prix. The stewards investigated Alonso’s actions following the incident and reviewed telemetry data. Alonso’s earlier braking and downshifting created a unique situation that affected Russell’s car control, according to the stewards’ findings. Despite the stewards acknowledging Alonso’s right to take a different racing line, they deemed his actions as potentially dangerous under the sporting regulations. The penalty halved Alonso’s Grand Prix points and raised questions about safety and race conduct. The stricter penalty guidelines for 2024 also played a role in the stewards’ decision-making process.
