Fernando Alonso makes "last, last, last" FIA demand as Gasly exonerated

Japanese Grand Prix

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Alonso makes "last, last, last" FIA demand as Gasly exonerated

The fallout continues from the race at Suzuka

Ian Parkes

Tuesday 11 October 2022 18:25

Fernando Alonso has called on the FIA to ensure the frightening tractor incident that took place in Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix is the "last, last, last" to occur in F1.

Fury was sparked when the recovery vehicle took to the Suzuka circuit to remove Carlos Sainz's crashed Ferrari following his lap-one incident in atrocious conditions.

Although the field bunched up behind the safety car, AlphaTauri's Pierre Gasly flashed past the scene - scaring a marshal in the process - after making a pit stop due to him collecting an advertising hoarding in the aftermath of Sainz's accident.

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It evoked memories of Jules Bianchi's crash in similar conditions at the same track eight years ago that ultimately claimed his life.

Despite the regulations put in place following that incident, Alpine driver Alonso is now demanding the FIA issue a definitive clampdown to ensure there is never another repeat.

"I still don’t know where Carlos was," said Alonso. "I didn’t see the tractor. There was no visibility.

"Behind the safety car, I could not see the tractor, I didn’t see Carlos, so obviously it was the low point of the race and we need to understand that. It was a difficult afternoon for everyone.

"We are here to help the FIA but after 2014 we agreed it would never happen again and it happened, so we need to work together to make sure this is the last, last, last."

Alonso demands "full explanation"

The FIA has launched "a thorough review of the events involving the deployment of recovery vehicles during the Japanese Grand Prix" due to the circumstances that unfolded on Sunday and "taking into account feedback from a number of drivers".

Two-time F1 champion Alonso has, like many other drivers, described what unfolded as "unacceptable", and has called on the FIA to leave no stone unturned.

"We need to understand why the tractor was there, who made the decision, who made that call, if they misunderstood something and whether the tractor was out without permission from the race director," added Alonso.

"So until we find the full explanation, which we will require, we cannot comment too much."

Gasly offered Alonso support

Veteran Alonso, meanwhile, has exonerated Gasly of any wrongdoing despite his speed in driving past the crash site and given the appalling conditions.

Gasly was handed a 20-second time penalty for speeding under red-flag conditions, which were not in place at the time he drove by the recovery vehicle.

"Totally supporting Pierre," said Alonso. "We are in the car, we know the speed we are doing and we know when we are in control.

"What we don’t expect is to see a tractor on the circuit, so that is nothing to blame Pierre."