Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso has doubled down on his criticism of “low level” Formula 1 drivers who have a “lack of talent” following his collision with Williams’ Alex Albon in Austin.
Albon tried to overtake Alonso for 12th place into the Turn 11 hairpin on the opening lap of the United States Grand Prix, but went into the side of the Aston Martin driver, damaging both cars.
Neither driver received a penalty and both were able to continue with Alonso finishing 16th and Albon in 17th in Austin.
Post-race, Alonso stated the quality of the drivers in the bottom third of F1’s grid is “very low” and he had not changed his stance in Thursday’s media day ahead of this weekend’s Mexico City Grand Prix.
“I think it’s simply a very low level of driving and lack of talent,” he told Sky Sports F1.
“When you make repeated mistakes throughout the season and have crashes and 50 per cent of your race is in Lap 1, if I was the team principal I would not be happy but if they are happy, I’m OK with that.
“When I see Max [Verstappen], Lewis [Hamilton] starting at the back when they change the engine or whatever, Kimi in Monza, they still win the races. Lap 1 is not the end of the world when you have your confidence and the talent to wait for one or two more laps.”
Alonso says he will not bring up the issue in Friday’s drivers’ meeting as “it’s part of the game” and it is down to Aston Martin to start higher up the grid to “get out of that part of the field”.
“Some teams cannot score points. It’s the same for us this year. You go into the races knowing you need eight DNFs to score points, so it’s more about driving the best race to the finish line,” he added.
“Probably if you’re not having a good season, being beaten by your team-mate, whatever is in your head it brings extra frustration but other drivers and teams should not pay for that.”
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Fernando Alonso criticised ‘low quality bottom third drivers’ following his collision with Alex Albon in Austin
‘Not nice to hear that’ – Albon reacts to Alonso comments
Albon was told about Alonso’s comments in the FIA press conference and argued the grid is as strong as it has been “for a while”.
“I’ll double down with what I said as well. I have a huge respect for Fernando. I looked up to him a lot growing up as a kid,” said the Williams driver.
“It’s not nice to hear those comments in many ways. You’re racing someone that you look up to, but at the same time, I don’t agree. It’s as simple as that.
“I think level is strong up and down the grid. I think 10, 15 years ago, the back half the grid wasn’t the way it is now. We don’t have pay drivers anymore. It is what it is. Hopefully, we don’t cross corners or cross paths in the race this weekend!”
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Williams driver Alex Albon disagrees with Fernando Alonso’s assertion that there’s a ‘lack of talent’ in the lower third of the Formula 1 grid
However, Alonso had pointed out his comments would be the same at any point in his career since he made his F1 debut in 2001.
“It’s the same over the years. When you are at the back of the grid, the cars are difficult to drive, more difficult to drive – they have less grip so mistakes are coming more often because you don’t have an environment which is under control and the car is not welcoming you in a nice way, so you make more mistakes.
“But I don’t feel all the incidents in Lap 1 and the touches, the front wings that fly around, all these things are not necessary, especially when you are fighting for nothing at the back of the grid and there is the cost cap, adding to this problem.
“There are teams that are happy with the cost cap and breaking things every race. They can pay for them.”
Sky Sports F1’s live Mexico City GP schedule
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Look back at some of the most dramatic moments to have taken place at the Mexico City Grand Prix
Friday October 30
6pm: Mexico City Grand Prix Practice One (session starts at 6.30pm)*
8pm: The F1 Show
9pm: Team Bosses’ Press Conference
9.30pm: Mexico City Grand Prix Practice Two (session starts at 10pm)*
Saturday October 31
5.15pm: Mexico City Grand Prix Practice Three (session starts at 6.30pm)
8pm: Mexico City Grand Prix Qualifying build-up
9pm: MEXICO CITY GRAND PRIX QUALIFYING
11pm: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook
Sunday November 1
5pm: F1 Academy Race 3
6.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Mexico City GP build-up
8pm: THE MEXICO CITY GRAND PRIX*
10pm: Chequered Flag: Mexico City GP reaction
11pm: Ted’s Notebook
*also on Sky Sports Main Event
Formula 1 next heads south for the second leg of The Americas triple-header with the Mexico City Grand Prix this weekend, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: skynews.com
