The Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League recently penalized Fernando Alonso during the Formula 1 sprint race at the Chinese Grand Prix. This penalty, which put him halfway towards a race ban, was the result of his violation of the new racing guidelines that he himself deemed “crucial” at the beginning of 2024.
Alonso received a 10-second time penalty after the sprint race in Shanghai due to an incident with Carlos Sainz towards the end of the race. The incident occurred when Alonso tried to overtake Sainz at the left-hand turn 9, after the esses. As a result, Alonso collided with Sainz’s Ferrari.
Although Alonso was able to regain his position after Sainz went off track, both drivers were overtaken by Red Bull’s Sergio Perez. Shortly after, Alonso had to pit due to a punctured tire, causing him to lose ground.
The stewards, after reviewing the sprint race, determined that Alonso was at fault for the collision. According to the guidelines on driving standards, this infraction warranted a 10-second penalty. The exact details of Alonso’s error were not specified in the stewards’ decision.
However, upon reviewing the guidelines, it is clear that Alonso’s actions were in violation. The guidelines were updated in 2024 to address concerns about inconsistent decision-making and lack of knowledge by drivers about permissible actions on track. The FIA Drivers’ Committee, the Circuit Commission, and the Safety Department collaborated to create the “Official Driving Standards Guidelines,” which are now applicable to all circuit racing categories. These guidelines aim to provide a consistent reference for both drivers and officials.
The guidelines include specific instructions for various maneuvers and overtaking situations. In the case of overtaking on the inside of a corner, as Alonso attempted against Sainz, the following conditions must be met: 1) The driver’s front axle must be at least alongside the other car’s mirror at the apex of the corner, 2) The maneuver must be executed safely and controlled during the entry, apex, and exit of the corner, 3) The driver must not force the other car off the track on the exit, ensuring a fair and acceptable width for the overtaken car from apex to exit of the corner, and 4) The driver must be able to make the corner within the track limits.
In Alonso’s case, he was initially behind Sainz, but managed to position his front axle alongside Sainz’s mirror by braking later and diving on the inside. Although there was contact, Alonso’s car remained under control. However, his entry speed and trajectory at the apex contributed to the collision. Nevertheless, Alonso successfully completed the corner within the track limits.
The decision of the stewards to penalize Alonso indicates that they believed he was either out of control due to approaching from too far back with excessive speed or that he forced Sainz off the track through contact. Although it is challenging to determine if the act was intentional, the guidelines state that leaving a fair and acceptable width for the overtaken car from apex to exit of the corner is essential.
Alonso’s 10-second penalty also resulted in three points being added to his license. This is the second time in three events that he has accumulated penalty points, with an automatic ban being triggered when a driver reaches 12 penalty points.
The decision to penalize Alonso reflects the trend of assigning blame in collisions rather than classifying them as racing incidents. Although it can be argued that Sainz losing a position and continuing with a damaged car justifies the penalty, officials often make decisions without considering the consequences.
Alonso disagrees with the decision to penalize him, but he accepts it. He may feel aggrieved by the fact that his collision with Sainz warranted punishment, while Sainz’s incident with his teammate, Charles Leclerc, did not receive the same treatment.
Interestingly, there was a debate about the type of penalty Alonso should receive. It was agreed in 2024 that the basic penalty would be increased to 10 seconds, instead of five seconds, to address complaints that the previous punishment was insufficient as a deterrent. Therefore, once the stewards determined that Alonso caused a collision, the 10-second penalty was mandatory. However, the fact that Alonso retired from the race in the pits added some complications.
According to the rules, a time penalty imposed after the end of a sprint race or grand prix is added to the time of the driver in question. However, if a driver retires, the penalty can be converted into a grid penalty for the next race they participate in. The term “retirement” is distinct from whether a driver is officially classified, which is determined by completing 90% of the laps completed by the race winner.
In this case, Max Verstappen, the winner of the sprint race, completed 19 laps, while Alonso completed 17 laps. The FIA calculates the cutoff by determining 90% of the laps completed by the race winner and rounding to the nearest whole number. In Alonso’s case, his 17 laps met the cutoff, which means he was classified despite retiring from the race colloquially.
The stewards acknowledged that the language of the regulations regarding when a car is considered retired and the resulting penalties is somewhat confusing, especially when a car is classified otherwise. They recommended that the FIA make the necessary changes to provide greater clarity on this issue.
Sports Tabloid
2024 was a year of great achievements and emotions in the world of sports. Many athletes shone and made history in various disciplines. Check out the highlights of the year below:
Soccer:
– Brazil won the World Cup for the sixth time, in an exciting match against Germany. Neymar was the standout of the competition, finishing as top scorer and being named the tournament’s best player.
– Barcelona won the UEFA Champions League, defeating Real Madrid in the final. Lionel Messi was the protagonist of the victory, scoring the decisive goal.
– Cristiano Ronaldo was named the world’s best player for the seventh consecutive time. The Portuguese star had another brilliant season, leading Juventus to the Italian title.
Basketball:
– The Los Angeles Lakers won the NBA championship, with an impressive performance from LeBron James. The player was named the Finals MVP.
– The United States team won the basketball tournament at the Tokyo Olympics. Kevin Durant was the standout of the team, leading the Americans to the gold medal.
– Giannis Antetokounmpo was named the NBA MVP of the season, after leading the Milwaukee Bucks to the league title.
Tennis:
– Novak Djokovic won all four Grand Slam titles in a single season, becoming the first player since Rod Laver to achieve this feat. The Serbian dominated the circuit and showcased his undeniable talent.
– Naomi Osaka was the champion of the Australian Open, Roland Garros, and Wimbledon. The Japanese player displayed her skill and established herself as one of the best tennis players of today.
– Rafael Nadal announced his retirement after a brilliant career. The Spanish player will be missed on the courts.
These were just a few of the memorable moments of the year 2024 in the world of sports. The next year promises even more excitement and achievements. Stay tuned to our website to not miss any detail!
