Fernando Alonso even agreed with the FIA's strictness regarding drivers who cause yellow flags in qualifying, but called for changes in the current format of the session that sets the grid
Fernando Alonso has spoken out about the FIA's (International Automobile Federation) probable tightening of the drivers' driving rules in qualifying to avoid yellow flags that harm those on fast laps. At the center of the controversy because of Alexander Albon's complaints in Q1 in Baku last Saturday, who accused the two-time champion of deliberately making a mistake to cause a yellow flag.The Alpine driver said he supports the decision, but raised questions about the current format of the session that defines the grid.
To Autosport magazine, Alonso cited the example of an incident involving Kevin Magnussen on Sunday. "There will always be difficulties, like now in the race [in Baku], that you either hit a corner or stop - like Haas stopped at turn 15," he said. "If you stop there or ten meters later, it might cause a safety-car. So are we going to penalize the Haas driver for a wrong choice?" the Spaniard questioned.
Alonso went on to say that the situation shows that the FIA needs to think about changes in the qualifying format. Q1, for example, is usually the busiest part, as everyone goes on track at the last minute to escape the final part of the grid. This causes a lot of traffic, and at street circuits like Monaco and Baku, those who hit that traffic risk having their entire lap disrupted.
"We need to be careful about how we do this [the yellow flag penalties]. But yes, I agree. Especially qualifying needs to be different," emphasized the experienced driver. "We deal with problems of slow laps, minimum time to be respected, traffic in the last corners, vacuum. I think we have to be smart and think about another qualifying format," Alonso stressed.
Last Saturday, the race management even conducted an informal investigation into the incident involving Alonso and Albon, hearing both Alpine sporting director Alan Permane and team boss Otmar Szafnauer, but the matter did not end in punishment. The Spaniard also said that "Q1 was general chaos," explaining that he had made a mistake because of the used tires.
Appendix L of the FIA's International Sporting Code, which applies to driving conduct, reiterates that "drivers must use the track at all times and may not leave it without a justifiable reason. If it is agreed between the FIA and the race management to tighten the rules, drivers would already be warned about possible sanctions at the Canadian Grand Prix, which takes place this weekend.