Fernando Alonso slapped with punishment after George Russell's horror crash at Australian Grand Prix

Fernando Alonso slapped with punishment after George Russell's horror crash at Australian Grand Prix

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Lewis Winter

By Lewis Winter


Published: 24/03/2024

- 09:16

Updated: 24/03/2024

- 10:18

The Brit walked away from the scary incident on the final lap in Melbourne

Fernando Alonso has received a 20-second penalty following his role in George Russell's crash on the final lap of the Australian Grand Prix.

The Spaniard's movements have been described as 'potentially dangerous' and he has dropped two places as well as being given three penalty points.


Russell was attempting to overtake Alonso in sixth late in the race but drove into the barriers, which saw his Mercedes flip onto its side.

The Brit walked away from the incident unharmed but all his hard work from the previous 57 laps had been undone.

Fernando Alonso and George Russell

Fernando Alonso has been punished following his role in George Russell's crash

Sky Sports/Getty

Soon after the race it was announced that the incident was under investigation and Alonso and Russell would be sent to the stewards.

Some F1 pundits believed that Alonso brake-tested Russell, which led to him crashing.

And a statement from the stewards now confirms that Alonso was to blame and he has been handed a hefty punishment.

Part of it reads: "Telemetry shows that Alonso lifted slightly more than 100m earlier than he ever had going into that corner during the race.

"He also braked very slightly at a point that he did not usually brake (although the amount of brake was so slight that it was not the main reason for his car slowing) and he downshifted at a point he never usually downshifted."

Alonso has now dropped down to eighth place in the race, below Lance Stroll and Yuki Tsunoda.

Speaking on the incident afterwards, Alonso told Sky Sports: "Obviously I was focusing in front of me and not behind.

"I had some issues for the last 15 laps or something on the battery, on the deployment, so definitely I was struggling a little bit at the end of the race but I cannot focus on the car behind.

"But he's ok, apparently. I saw the car and I was very worried."

Discussing the crash in his post-race interview, Russell said: "My take is I've gone off and that's on me.

"I was half a second behind Fernando 100m before the corner then suddenly he came towards me extremely quick and I was right on his gearbox. I don't know if he had a problem or not.

"We're off to the stewards and that's a bit bizarre in a circumstance like this.

"I've got nothing more to say right now. I need to see everything, just disappointed to end the race like that.

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George Russell

George Russell crashed on the final lap of the Australian Grand Prix

Getty

"It's clear he braked 100m before the corner and was back on the throttle again and took the corner normally. We've already seen the data of that."

Russell refused to lay blame at Alonso's door until seeing the incident again.

He added: "I'm not going to accuse him of anything until we see further.

George Russell

George Russell's car was lifted away after he crashed at the Australian Grand Prix

Getty

"I was right behind him for many, many laps. I was half a second behind him before the corner

"Then, suddenly he slowed up dramatically and got back on the power. I wasn't expecting it and he caught me by surprise.

"That part is on me. It's interesting he's been called by the stewards. I'm intrigued as to what they have to say."

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