P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Fernando Alonso’s 20-second penalty for driving in a “potentially dangerous” manner was a big talking point in the Suzuka paddock on Thursday ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix, with opinion on whether it was justified split among rivals
The controversy surrounding Fernando Alonso’s 20-second penalty for driving in a “potentially dangerous” manner at the Australian Grand Prix in Suzuka was a major topic before the Japanese GP. Opinions were divided among rivals, with some like Valtteri Bottas and Lance Stroll considering the penalty harsh or ridiculous, while others, including Charles Leclerc and George Russell, felt it was justified. Russell, who was directly affected by Alonso’s actions, believed the penalty was deserved to maintain fair competition. Despite admitting Alonso’s driving was unusual, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri questioned the penalty, arguing that Russell had the opportunity to react and that the incident did not warrant such severe punishment. Ultimately, the incident sparked debate and raised questions about the consistency of penalties in Formula 1.
