Alonso questions Tsunoda defence after 300kph grassy overtake

Sam Hall
Tuesday 12 July 2022 14:40 - Updated: 14:42

Fernando Alonso has questioned the conduct of Yuki Tsunoda after the AlphaTauri driver forced him onto the grass "at 300kph" during the Austrian Grand Prix.

Alpine driver Alonso started from the back of the grid after suffering an electrical problem shortly prior to Saturday's sprint.

Although the two-time F1 champion was able to recover to claim a point on Sunday for finishing 10th, his journey was far from straightforward as Tsunoda added an unwanted moment of peril that could have had dire consequences.

On the run between turns three and four at the Red Bull Ring, Alonso made use of his DRS to pull alongside his rival.

Tsunoda, though, was far from keen to yield the position and forced Alonso onto the grass, leading to the latter expressing his displeasure by wagging a finger towards the 22-year-old after completing the move.

"I was in the grass so I don’t know why he was pushing me that far," said Alonso.

"Because I had DRS in the grass, I kept flat out and there was no way [for him] to defend. I was already side by side, so I don’t know.

“I feel that those kinds of things are better to avoid at 300kph. But it was okay.”

Asked if Tsunoda could see the telling off he was receiving from Alonso's cockpit, the Spanish driver added with a smile: “Probably not, but driving with one hand is still okay on the grass.”