Fernando Alonso believes the way in which the aborted begin to the System 1 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia was dealt with was ‘unfair’ to the drivers.
The 56-lap race at Sepang was marred by chaos from the very begin. With the heavens opening up, the FIA determined to delay the beginning.
And because the climate cleared up and the drivers launched into the formation lap, an inexplicable predicament hit the likes of Lewis Hamilton.
The inherent quirks of the all-new 2026 F1 PUs, coupled with the treacherous circumstances out on monitor, meant the ability models malfunctioned owing to errant vitality deployment metrics.
Hamilton got here to an entire standstill on the again straight, amongst others, with unresponsive throttle inputs. Race Management then determined to abort the beginning process altogether while the FIA provided the groups with a ‘software program improve’ to fight the engine gremlin.
Alonso, nevertheless, believes that the choice to abort the beginning was one thing he can not fully reconcile with.
“I believe I’ve had 50 % DNFs this yr. They by no means stopped the race for us,” he informed media together with Motorsport Week.
“So yeah, there are eight races to go. If we give this proportion, in 4 races we are going to DNF, and we are going to see 4 crimson flags for positive.”
Talking to Spanish media after the race, the two-time F1 World Champion argued that regardless of being on the formation lap, the race had formally begun so far as he was involved.
He insinuated that the choice, subsequently, was motivated by a must preserve the spectacle and Hamilton’s race alive than strictly for security.
“I don’t know what occurred; they’ll have to elucidate it,” he added.
“I’ve had retirements in the midst of races this yr, and the race was by no means stopped as a result of we retired, however evidently Hamilton was within the gravel and there was stress.
“They needed to cease the race so he might rejoin; it’s all been a bit bizarre. I suppose they’ll clarify it to us in Singapore.
“There’s an excessive amount of know-how; ultimately, the spectator doesn’t recognize it.”
Fernando Alonso expects solutions after ‘unfair’ F1 Bahrain GP in Malaysia resolution
Based on the rulebook, the aborted begin ought to have been restarted within the order that the drivers entered the pit lane. However Race Management deemed it match for the race to start within the authentic grid order.
Alonso highlighted different inconsistencies with the choice and defined how he didn’t imagine the beginning process was amended with security in thoughts.
When requested if he felt the choice was unfair, he mentioned to media together with Motorsport Week, “100%. I imply, that is motor racing, you understand.”
“I imply, if it’s a security concern, I get it.
“You already know, if there are 5 vehicles in the midst of the street or no matter, you understand, now we have to cease the race and we have to see what’s occurring.
“However I believe they had been out of the race. Even on the wall, you understand, they needed to push it two metres, the marshals, and retire the automotive like we do in each, as I mentioned, 50 % of the races.
“It’s the primary time I see, however as I mentioned, proper now I don’t have all the data, so perhaps there’s a clear rationalization and it’s OK, you understand, I’m not too involved.”
Regardless of his unhappiness with how the race was began, it ended on a reasonably ecstatic word for the Aston Martin driver with an eighth-place end on the chequered flag.
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