© Jiri Krenek for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd.
Two-time Formula 1 champion Fernando Alonso says he doesn’t think Lewis Hamilton’s British Grand Prix penalty was too lenient as the incident ‘wasn’t intentional’.
At the British Grand Prix Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen were involved in a controversial collision that sent Max crashing into the barrier, while Lewis received a 10-second penalty.
Although many F1 personalities thought it was just a racing incident, some, including Red Bull, thought that the Briton deserved a heavier penalty, even calling for a race ban.
Fernando Alonso was asked if he thought the penalty sets a precedent because it was ‘too lenient’.
“No, I don’t think so. The incident was just unfortunate,” said the Spaniard.
“It was an unlucky corner, an unlucky position, an unlucky fight. I don’t think it was intentional, so there’s no need for a heavier penalty.
“What people probably depict is consistent punishment, but it’s hard to be consistent when every incident is unique. No incident is the same, they are all different.”
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Some have drew parallels between this collision and the 2012 Belgian Grand Prix crash where Romain Grosjean collided with Lewis and sent him over two other cars (including Alonso’s).
The French driver received a race ban at the time, but Alonso doesn’t think the incidents are similar.
“When I think back to 2012, I was competing for the World Championship. Grosjean was suspended for one race, but I’m sure he didn’t mean to send Hamilton and himself flying over me. Nobody does that on purpose.”
“When people remember those kind of penalties, they think Hamilton’s penalty at Silverstone isn’t enough.
“However, what happened there isn’t the same as what happened at Spa in 2012. As I said, every incident is unique, so I don’t think that crash sets a precedent.
“We’ll just keep racing hard, but as clean as possible. I’m sure of that,” concluded Alonso.
