MotoGP legend Casey Stoner blasts FIA for Melbourne 'mess'

Casey Stoner has been critical of F1 — Photo: © LAT Images

Australian Grand Prix

MotoGP legend blasts FIA for 'embarrassing' Melbourne 'mess'

Casey Stoner went in hard after that controversial finish at Albert Park

Graham Shaw Consultant Editor

Digital sports specialist running global brands for 30 years

Sunday 2 April 2023 22:57

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The FIA was under fire from all quarters following that controversial finish to Sunday's Australian Grand Prix – including stars from outside F1.

Three red flags and a finish under the safety car brought widespread dismay following a race which eventually lasted for more than two-and-a-half hours.

While inevitable comparisons were drawn with overtime finishes in NASCAR, motorsport's global governing body also came under heavy fire from a MotoGP legend – two-time world champion Casey Stoner.

Casey Stoner on Melbourne mayhem

The 37-year-old great rounded on the FIA in a withering Twitter post in which he accused them of putting entertainment before sport.

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Stoner's message said quite simply: "@fia you have embarrassed yourselves today with @F1 What an unnecessary mess.

"Please remember everyone, this is a sport first and entertainment second, not the other way around."

@fia you have embarrassed yourselves today with @F1 What an unnecessary mess.
Please remember everyone, this is a sport first and entertainment second, not the other way around.
— Casey Stoner AM (@Official_CS27) April 2, 2023

The decision to bring out the red flag for a second time following Kevin Magnussen's crash late in the race brought a storm of criticism - especially as it was then followed by mayhem which saw Carlos Sainz eventually drop to P12 and the Alpines of Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon crash out.