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Formula 1 will have “talks” over the rules around consequences for drivers who cause red flags in qualifying, reckons two-time world champion Fernando Alonso.
The subject of drivers being allowed to keep their grid positions if they halt qualifying and stop others from improving their lap time arose in Monaco two weeks ago when crashing in Q3 helped Charles Leclerc secure pole.
Azerbaijan Grand Prix qualifying this weekend ended with another Leclerc pole in a top-10 shootout red-flagged before the second runs could be completed. It was one of four red flags throughout the session.
After qualifying, Alonso criticised the recklessness of his fellow drivers, and bemoaned the fact F1’s rules do not punish people who cause a red flag – unlike in other championships such as IndyCar.
He elaborated on his initial comments by stating he feels “a bit strange about people making mistakes and not paying any price” after what happened in Baku and Monaco.
“It’s the rule we all know,” said the Alpine driver.
“I know there were some discussions after Monaco where Leclerc crashed and Ferrari were able to repair the car.
“I think there will be even more now because there are four or five cars that made a mistake and there is no price to pay.
“That’s a bit unfair for all the people that didn’t make any mistakes.
“We knew the rule before we started the weekend and sometimes we really know if we end up in the wall we will benefit from this rule.
The incidents which brought qualifying to an end ❌
Both Tsunoda and Sainz were okay following Turn 3 troubles 💥#AzerbaijanGP 🇦🇿 #F1 pic.twitter.com/0Hnm1PbSQR
— Formula 1 (@F1) June 5, 2021
“You are always hoping to see the real battle on the last two sets of new tyres in Q3 when the gloves are off.
“We all love to see that. For sure there will be some talks.”
Alonso will start the Azerbaijan race from seventh on the grid after inheriting a place from the penalised Lando Norris.
He joked “we will finish on the podium because there will not be many cars at the end of the race” if the errors from qualifying continue into the grand prix, having previously suggested other drivers needed to “calm down”.
“I’m sure it will be more boring than qualifying even though you can overtake here,” said Alonso.
“We need to make sure we have the pace because if not we will lose the positions quite quickly.
“There are some fast cars behind us – [Valtteri] Bottas, for example. He didn’t get the lap in the final part of qualifying.
“So it’s not easy. But we’ll try. It will be a long race and we need to be very focused. A small mistake and you finish in the wall.
“We’ve been out of the wars so far this weekend and need to keep the concentration.”
