Fernando Alonso is requesting talks with the FIA after revealing that he feels that nationality is playing a role in the stewards’ decisions to hand certain drivers penalties during races.
The Aston Martin star was furious that Lewis Hamilton went unpunished in lap one of the sprint at the Miami Grand Prix. The Brit attempted an ambitious move up the inside after a strong launch but his momentum, along with Lance Stroll moving around the outside, meant that Alonso was sandwiched.
The Spaniard could not avoid making contact with Stroll, who was sent out of the race, and sustaining a puncture that put an end to his hopes. Speaking after the race, Alonso said: “We’ll see what they decide. 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.
“I do feel that nationality matters. I will speak with Mohammed [Ben Sulayem], with [the] FIA… whatever I need to make sure that there is not anything wrong with my nationality or anything that can influence any decision – not only for me, [but] also for the future generation of Spanish drivers that need to be protected.”
