Fernando Alonso loses 100th F1 podium due to post-race penalty

19.03.2023 - 22:27 espn.com

Fernando Alonso has been stripped of what would have been his 100th Formula One podium after a post-race penalty at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

The decision elevated George Russell into third, giving Mercedes its first podium finish of the year. Alonso had served a five-second penalty ahead of his first pit-stop, a punishment for lining up outside his grid box at the start.

In the closing stages, Mercedes told the chasing Russell that Alonso might have a penalty, with suspicions growing Aston Martin pit crew had touched the car before he had been stationary for five seconds.

Alonso still finished third and celebrated on the podium. Shortly after he had received his trophy, the stewards' investigation was confirmed, with the 10-second penalty coming shortly afterwards and moving Russell up to third.

Boxing penalty Max Verstappen Lewis Hamilton Aston Martin George Russell Sergio Perez Esteban Ocon Fernando Alonso Saudi Arabia Bahrain

Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso topped the timesheets ahead of Ferrari ace Charles Leclerc in a rain-hit second practice at the Australian Grand Prix on Friday, but world champion Max Verstappen went fastest for the day. The Spanish veteran followed up his podium finishes at the first two races of the season in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia with another eye-opening run. He powered around the bumpy Albert Park circuit under darkening clouds before rain fell in a best time of one minute 18.887 seconds among his 13 laps, bettering his fourth place in the first one-hour session.

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Aston Martin Racing’s Fernando Alonso has been restored to third place in the 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix after a time penalty was overturned, thus securing his 100th career podium. Alonso, 41, finished third in the second race of the season, behind race-winner Sergio Perez and championship leader Max Verstappen, both Red Bull. Ad And after a chaotic back and forth, which involved Alonso being stripped of his podium finish, he was finally confirmed as the third-place finisher.

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