Fernando Alonso frustrated by "strange" FIA Kimi Raikkonen decision in Austin

Alonso and Raikkonen in the US — Photo: © LAT Images

United States Grand Prix

Alonso frustrated by "strange" FIA Raikkonen decision in Austin

Alonso has been critical of a lack of consistency from the stewards in recent weeks

Sam Hall

Monday 25 October 2021 11:55 Updated: 13:48

Fernando Alonso has questioned the "strange" FIA decision not to force Kimi Raikkonen to hand back a position gained off the track at the United States Grand Prix.

Alonso has been critical of inconsistencies in the FIA stewards' decisions in recent weeks and the topic was again highlighted at the Circuit of the Americas.

On lap 16, Raikkonen used DRS to draw level with the Spaniard on the run up the hill into turn one before completing the pass beyond the track limits.

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Despite numerous drivers being forced to concede positions gained off the track, including Alonso, the Finn was permitted to hold his advantage with it deemed the Spaniard had forced Raikkonen wide.

“It is obviously their decision so we have to accept it," explained Alonso.

"There was the same incident on lap one. Lando in turn 12 broke on the inside, overtook Sainz. Sainz went off-track, retook the position and it was fine.

“Then, on the last part of the race when I overtook Giovinazzi for the second time, I broke on the inside of turn 12 and again I forced him off track and he regained the position off track and that time he had to give me back the position.

“So in a way, you always force a guy to go off the track when you brake on the inside. You commit to an overtake and they are on the outside. They need to decide whether to back off or keep the full-throttle off the track, outside of the circuit.

“It’s what Sainz did, Giovinazzi did, I did and we have to give back the position for sure because you are running full throttle off the track but Kimi didn’t. That is why I thought that it was not consistent."

Alonso passed Raikkonen's Alfa Romeo team-mate, Antonio Giovinazzi, off the track several laps after his incident with the Finn and although he gave the position back, the Spaniard insisted his actions were not born of frustration at the earlier decision.

"When I overtook Antonio, I braked very late into turn 12 and I missed the corner exit so when the team told me that I needed to give back the position, I understood that it was the right thing to do," added Alonso.

“It seemed logical to me because I braked too late. If it was a wall there I would have never braked that late, so I took advantage of going off track and I have to give back the position so I slowed down.

“Unfortunately, I was three seconds in front of him already so I lost a lot of time but I understood the decision.

“Giovinazzi did the same thing and he had to give me back the position so yes, it came back to my original point that with Kimi it felt strange."