Sebastian Vettel questions 'gentlemen's agreement' after incident with furious Fernando Alonso

Vettel, Aston Martin, Austria — Photo: © LAT Images

Austrian Grand prix

Vettel questions 'gentlemen's agreement' after incident with furious Alonso

Vettel will see the stewards after blocking Alonso in Q2

Sam Hall

Saturday 3 July 2021 17:30

Sebastian Vettel has called into question the 'gentlemen's agreement' that supposedly exists between drivers after blaming rule-breakers for causing the incident between himself and an angry Fernando Alonso.

In the closing stages of Q2, Alonso was on his second flying lap just as slow Aston Martin driver Vettel was preparing to begin his own coming out of turn nine and into turn 10.

FIA race director Michael Masi's revised race notes issued on Saturday morning strictly prohibited drivers from slowing to create a gap between turns nine and 10.

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The incident resulted in Alonso missing out on a position in Q3, with the Spaniard letting his feelings known to Vettel as he shook his fist at his fellow champion as he pulled alongside him on the pit straight.

Vettel made it through to Q3, although was himself hindered as he was unable to start his own second flier due to the train of slow cars ahead of him.

Asked if the 'gentlemen's agreement' was being ignored more than in previous years, Vettel questioned: "Has it ever been in place?

"I only saw him [Alonso] very late so there was not much that I could have done and I think it is the fault of the drivers ahead that just keep jumping the queue. I don't think that is right and it is not what we agreed on."

Vettel cannot see a solution to blocking problems

Although the threat of a penalty remains looming over Vettel, Saturday provided a positive outcome for Aston Martin on the timesheets with Vettel eighth and Lance Stroll 10th.

Vettel added: "It was good. Both cars in Q3 and then, unfortunately, the gap was quite big to the cars in front so we did what we could."

As for what can be done to prevent future incidents of blocking, he conceded: "There is not much you can do. We don't talk to each other. We talk about each other but not to each other."