F1 star takes SEVERE dig at champion Fernando Alonso for major crash

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F1 star takes SEVERE dig at champion for major crash

Nico Hulkenberg criticises Fernando Alonso's defensive manoeuvres that led to a huge crash at the Australian Grand Prix

By Yara Elshebiny.

Friday 5 April 2024 15:00

A Formula 1 driver has criticised the movements of a colleague and champion after a heavy accident at the Australian Grand Prix.

George Russell found himself in the barriers after being caught out by the dirty air of Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso.

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The incident between Alonso and Russell occurred at Turn six as the two drivers fought for position, with Alonso braking earlier than usual, attempting to force Russell to back out.

However, this unexpected manoeuvre caught Russell off guard, causing him to lose control and crash his Mercedes.

George Russell's car was heavily damaged

Fernando Alonso received a post-race penalty for his actions

Nico Hulkenberg weighs in: "Not very impressed"

Haas driver Hulkenberg wasn't shy about sharing his opinion and came out publicly to criticise the Spaniard's tactics.

Speaking to motorsport.com, the German said: "My personal view, when I saw it all, I wasn't very impressed with Fernando's tactics there to be honest.

"Melbourne, after all, it's kind of a street circuit. It's quite narrow there, we approach the corner with 260-270km/h, and it's a blind exit.

"And if, for whatever reason, the flag system or someone is late, and one of us would have T-boned George, I think the outcome and the way he feels might have been also quite different.

“So I think whilst that tactic is quite a common one in F1, in that particular corner, with that speed, with a blind exit, I think it's the wrong corner to do it – and produced quite a dangerous situation."

Mercedes George Russell Aston Martin Fernando Alonso Nico Hulkenberg