Australian Grand Prix: Fernando Alonso given penalty for incident that led to George Russell crash

Alonso handed 20-second time penalty that drops him from sixth place to eighth
Russell's Mercedes ended up on his side after he rebounded off the wall on the penultimate lap
AFP via Getty Images
Philip Duncan24 March 2024

Fernando Alonso has been handed a 20-second time penalty following George Russell's dramatic penultimate-lap crash at the Australian Grand Prix.

Russell's Mercedes ended up on his side after he rebounded off the wall in his pursuit of the double world champion in the closing stages.

Following a post-race investigation, Alonso was found to have breached Article 33.4 of the sport's regulations - effectively finding him guilty or driving erratically and in manner that could be deemed as dangerous.

The stewards, which included former British driver Johnny Herbert, said Alonso, 42, had "lifted slightly more earlier than he ever had", and "also braked very slightly a point that he did not usually brake".

They also added that there was insufficient information "to determine whether Alonso's manoeuvre was intended to cause Russell problems".

Following the crash, Russell said Alonso "slammed on his brakes" in front of him as they duelled for sixth position.

The penalty dropped Alonso from sixth place to eighth in the results.

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