The 2022 United States Grand Prix, held at the Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas, was an epic race. We had Safety Cars, an unlikely leader, botched-up pit stops, you name it! However, as it would happen, one Fernando Alonso incident post-race may have marred the whole experience for the fans.
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Fernando Alonso drove a brilliant race. He catapulted himself into the top 10 and was running comfortably there. However, he was involved in a post-Safety Car incident that sent him airborne and into the barriers. But he muscled the car into the pits, came out plum last and still finished P7 at the chequered flag!
Alonso is a fighter. This race was a pure example of his exemplary driving ability. He even went as far as dubbing the race as his best race of the season. But the crash had taken its toll on the Spaniard. After the race he said, “The last laps, I was pushing like it was qualifying. It was my best race of the season, but the fear is still in my stomach.”
That being said, the FIA gave Alonso a 30-second penalty post-race for a dislodged and eventually broken side mirror after Haas appealed to the FIA. This got F1 fans around the world angry and they took to Twitter to vent their disappointment at the FIA.
Fans react as the FIA hands a 30-second penalty to Fernando Alonso
As soon as the news came out that the Spaniard had been demoted from a points position to P15, F1 fans stormed the social media platform to share their opinions and reactions. The FIA deemed Alonso and Alpine to be in arrears of the regulations as one of his side view mirrors came off during the race as a consequence of his crash with Stroll earlier.
I'm happy for him, he had a great race despite the pit stop. But @alo_oficial 's penalty is an embarrassment for @F1 . It makes no sense to watch the races live.
...and I am as confused as you are Karun, not only that, but mightly angry over the penalty that was given out to Alonso.
Fans were obviously not pleased to see Alonso being denied a brilliant result because of a penalty for an offence he could not have avoided. However, Haas were quick to run to the FIA to point out that their driver Kevin Magnussen has been on the wrong side of these decisions from the FIA in the past and it was only fair that they take a dim view at Alonso, too.
That was a huge pleasure to watch you racing yesterday Fernando. You're driver of a day in my books. When it comes about a penalty...
@F1 and also @fia have this in your minds: You are totally clowns and you are ruining this sport with your nonsense penalties and also that penalties applied too late after the race so give @alo_oficial his positions back... I think that michael masi need to be back in this sport
Hamilton lacking a mirror in Suzuka 2019. No penalty. Rules are not the same for everyone... Alonso's penalty is extremely unfair. And 30 seconds, as well, it is insane. Ánimo @alo_oficial !
Russel ruins sainz's race because of his fault 5 sec penalty alonso ruins stroll's race not because of his fault 30 sec penalty unbelivable how FIA favours the top teams
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Based on @alo_oficial penalty last night then Gilles Villeneuve should of probably been sent to prison for forging with this damage
Do you think Fernando Alonso’s post race penalty was fair?