Fernando Alonso given "green light" by stewards after qualifying investigation

Alonso, Alpine, Turkey — Photo: © LAT Images

Turkish Grand Prix

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Alonso given "green light" by stewards after qualifying investigation

Alpine driver will start from fifth on the grid

Ian Parkes

Saturday 9 October 2021 16:55 Updated: 17:44

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Fernando Alonso has been cleared by the Turkish Grand Prix stewards after being investigated for failing to respect double-waved yellow flags during qualifying.

The Alpine driver had impressed in difficult damp-to-dry conditions to qualify sixth, although that was under threat given it was an infringement that earned Sebastian Vettel a five-place penalty for the Bahrain Grand Prix.

At last year's Turkish GP, Lando Norris also dropped five places on the grid and had three penalty points on his super licence for the same call.

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But following his visit to the stewards, Alonso said: "I heard the engineer saying double yellow and I saw the double yellows as well at turn one.

"On the dash, on the steering wheel, it becomes yellow as well so it was very clear to me, and I aborted the lap.

"Because it was the first lap of qualifying you still set a time, and then the following lap I was three seconds faster without aborting the lap, and that was probably the confusion.

"No problem, I've come from the stewards, and green light from them as well, so happy."

With Lewis Hamilton slipping from top spot after setting the fastest time in qualifying to 11th due to a 10-place penalty for an engine change, Alonso will now start from fifth.

The stewards later confirmed there would be "no further action".

A report read: "It was evident the driver fulfilled the requirement of reducing speed significantly after the double-yellow flags were displayed and therefore complied with the provisions set out in Art. 2.5.5.b) of the FIA International Sporting Code.

"Nonetheless, note 7.1 of the Race Director’s Event Notes require drivers not to set a meaningful lap time in a double-yellow flag situation.

"Taking into account the fact that the yellow-flag situation occurred at the time the driver started his first timed lap of the session, and noting that the driver was fully convinced that he did not set a meaningful lap time as his next flying lap was approximately 3.5 seconds faster than the one when the yellow-flag situation occurred, the stewards are satisfied that the driver complied with the relevant regulations and take no further action."