1 minute The former champion received a 20-second penalty, altering his position from sixth to eighth in the standings at Melbourne.
Aston Martin has decided not to contest the sanction imposed on Fernando Alonso for "potentially dangerous" driving during the last Australian Grand Prix.
The former champion received a 20-second penalty, altering his position from sixth to eighth in the standings at Melbourne.
In a critical moment on the second-to-last lap at Albert Park, he initiated a brake earlier than expected at turn six, resulting in an accident involving George Russell of Mercedes, who was trailing him closely.
Mike Krack, the head of Aston Martin, expressed the team's position, stating they must "accept the decision".
Krack conveyed his support for Alonso to the team's supporters, saying, "I want you to know that we fully support Fernando."
"The imposition of a 20-second time penalty, especially when there was no physical contact with the car behind, has been difficult to accept. However, we have to accept the decision," he elaborated.
Alonso, aged 42, acknowledged a slight error to the stewards post-race but later expressed his "surprise" at the decision on social media platforms.
Russell, a 26-year-old British driver, lost control, resulting in his vehicle flipping onto its side on the track, leading to the conclusion of the race under a virtual safety car.
Krack highlighted Alonso's competitive spirit, noting he was "using every tool in his toolbox" to outperform Russell and emphasised that the Spanish driver would "never put anyone in harm's way".