Fernando Alonso jokes about helping Piastri / Formula 1

When it comes to controversial events, Fernando Alonso (42/Aston Martin) is rarely far away. And when it comes to sarcastic comments, anyway.

After the Suzuka/Japan race, the battle between George Russell in Mercedes and Oscar Piastri in McLaren is the talk of the town before the end of the race. Russell even had to report the incident to management, but was not punished.

After the race, both sides agreed: it was a racing event.

During the pair’s battle, Piastri also stayed ahead of Russell – also with DRS assistance from Fernando Alonso, who was driving in front of the Australian.

Alonso returned to give Piastri the DRS – and so Russell would have a harder time catching them. So Alonso not only kept Russell away from Piastri, but also from himself (and the Spaniard saved his battery).

The plan worked. Piastri stayed ahead of Russell and lost his place to the Brit shortly before the end of the race – because he made a mistake in the chicane.

After the race, Russell quipped about Alonso’s interference: “Fernando is playing games. That’s new!” And Brit continued: “It was smart of him and I didn’t expect anything less. It’s part of the race.”

Alonso himself also joked about the situation when asked about it by Spaniard DAZN: “Let’s see if I qualify for the rest of the championship.” Of course he won’t.

A reference to the 20 second penalty in Melbourne that he was given after the race. Alonso braked shortly before the end of the race. As a result, Russell lost control of his Mercedes and crashed. There was no communication between the two. To this day, Alonso doesn’t seem to understand the punishment – preferring instead to play on the events of Suzuka…

Japan-GP, Suzuka Circuit

01. Max Verstappen (NL), Red Bull Racing, 1:54:23,566 h
02. Sergio Pérez (MEX), Red Bull Racing, +12.535 seconds
03. Carlos Sainz (E), Ferrari, +20,866
04. Charles Leclerc (MC), Ferrari, +26,522
05. Lando Norris (GB), McLaren, +29.700
06. Fernando Alonso (E), Aston Martin, +44,272
07. George Russell (GB), Mercedes, +45,951
08. Oscar Piastri (AUS), McLaren, +47.525
09. Lewis Hamilton (GB), Mercedes, +48,626
10. Yuki Tsunoda (J), Racing Bulls, +1 Round
11. Nico Hülkenberg (D), Haas, +1 lap
12. Lance Stroll (CDN), Aston Martin, +1 Round
13. Kevin Magnussen (DK), Haas, +1 Lap
14. Valtteri Bottas (FIN), clean, +1 lap
15. Esteban Ocon (F), Alpine, +1 Round
16. Pierre Gasly (F), Alpine, +1 Round
17. Logan Sargeant (USA), Williams, +1 Round

outside
Guanyu Zhou (RCH), Sauber, Elektrik
Alex Albon (T), Williams, Crash
Daniel Ricciardo (AUS), Racing Bull, Crash

World Championship Standings (after 4 out of 24 Grands Prix)

the driver
01. Verstappen 77 points
02. Perez 64
03. Leclerc 59
04. Sainz 55
05. Norris 37
06. Plate 32
07. Russell 24
08. Alonso 24
09. Hamilton 10
10. Walk 7
11. Tsunoda 7
12. Oliver Bearman (GB) 6
13. Hulkenberg 3
14. Magnussen 1
15. Alboni 0
16. Zhou 0
17. Ricciardo 0
18. Okon 0
19. 0 gas
20. Bota 0
21. Sergeant 0

Builders Cup
01. Red Bull Racing 141 Punkte
02. Ferrari 120
03. McLaren 69
04. Mercedes 34
05. Aston Martin 33
06. Running Bull 7
07. Especially 4
08. Williams 0
09. Sauber 0
10. Alpine 0