The race last night in Jeddah had all elements of entertainment, but the drama continued for a couple of hours after the race as well. That was because the FIA continued to deliberate on the second time penalty handed out to Fernando Alonso. They first confirmed the penalty after the Spaniard celebrated his podium finish. The news served George Russell his first podium for the season. However, the joy soon turned to disappointment when they revoked the penalty, handing P3 back to Alonso. The entire fiasco has left a bad taste in fans’ mouths, with some even urging the ruling body to revisit the Abu Dhabi finale of 2021.
Alonso had a great start to the race as he overtook race leader Sergio Perez in the first corner. However, soon flashed the information on the screen, informing the viewers about stewards noting him for starting from an incorrect position. As the race moved to 2nd lap, they confirmed a 5-second time penalty for the 41-year-old. He once again came under investigation for incorrectly failing to serve the penalty. That became a bone of contention between the FIA and Aston Martin for hours.
FIA’s Fernando Alonso drama reignited the Lewis Hamilton Abu Dhabi debate
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
FIA in its report deemed race director Michael Masi’s late decision in the 2021 Abu Dhabi GP a “human error”. However, they refused to overturn the decision and hand over Lewis Hamilton his 8th world championship title. The ruling body’s decision to overturn Alonso’s penalty gave rise to the voices demanding a similar treatment for Hamilton as well.
Have a look at some reactions from Twitter.
Give Lewis Hamilton his 8th back
— Stefanie (@fastpitstop) March 19, 2023
Now over turn Abudhabi 2021 and give Lewis his 8th back, FRAUDS
— Unicorn🦄 (@hamburgerh0tdog) March 19, 2023
HAHAHA FIA is trippin man. This is wild. Yo what about Abu Dhabi 2021 tho amiright?!
— Ben Cato 🥁 (@theLordMangus) March 19, 2023
FIA can overturn a decision after a race has been decided? Why couldn’t they do that for Abu Dhabi 2021??
— 🦌 (Fan account) (@TroIledByAkumpo) March 19, 2023
Many slammed FIA for failing to stand their ground and potentially having a bias.
This sport is so embarrassing- 🤣🤣 makes it up as they go along – inconsistency in decisions – changes rules to suit their own agenda – sport is done and is now looking corrupt in everything that they do 😉- #F1Xed # AbuDhabi #Costcapcheats #no-consistency #cheatsprosper
— E S25OWL 🦉 (@davo33uk) March 19, 2023
You’re just proving the incompetence of the FIA every weekend…
— Alex Mitton (@Alexmitton10) March 19, 2023
Another fan accused them of caving under pressure as the momentum against them was building online for taking away the P3 position from Alonso.
FIA is a joke XD it's only because it looked bad for F1 so they changed it again
— SEKO (@sekoidd) March 19, 2023
Not picking sides, but this is a bad look for F1.
— Bryan Hader (@HaderBryan) March 19, 2023
Some fans posted hilarious memes to sum up the situation.
— curiousnewton (@curiousnewton) March 19, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Watch This Story: Mercedes React to FIA’s admission of “Human Error” in the Verstappen-Hamilton Scandal
BUNCH OF CLOWNS AT THE FIA BUT WE BALLLL BROOOO pic.twitter.com/SOHvQGCuW5
— Yad (@Yada_690) March 19, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Do you think FIA was correct in revoking the penalty? Esteban Ocon went through a similar situation in Bahrain, where he too failed to serve the stop-and-go penalty correctly. Should his penalties be revisited as well?