FIA sympathise with Alonso after "marginal" Raikkonen call

FIA race director Michael Masi has explained he 'understands' Fernando Alonso's frustration with the stewards' decisions during the United States Grand Prix.

Alonso was defending midrace from Alfa Romeo's Kimi Raikkonen into turn one with the Finn driving pinned to the outside of the corner.

The Spaniard squeezed Raikkonen off the track with some minor contact but was unhappy that the FIA allowed his rival to keep the position gained despite leaving the track.

Alonso has been critical of the FIA in recent times and was frustrated on the team radio.

"I can understand his frustration. I haven't heard his frustration but I can understand it," explained Masi.

"The call between him and Kimi at turn one was certainly marginal, and we'll have a discussion about it with all the drivers at the next drivers' meeting because there were two parts to the story, let's call it.

"Obviously, the overtake and the forcing off track, and then the subsequent element of the overtake, so it's something we'll discuss as a group at the next meeting."

Forcing rival drivers off track was an issue highlighted with penalties dished out at the Red Bull Ring earlier in the season.

Asked if this was a case of determining whether it was in fact Alonso forcing Raikkonen wide over the Finn completing a move off track, Masi replied: "Correct. You've hit the nail on the head.

"That's why it was a marginal call. There were obviously the two elements of it that were looked at, and on that basis, marginally they made the decision 'let's just leave it as it is'.

"It will no doubt be discussed at the next drivers' meeting."

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