FERNANDO ALONSO REPEATS CRITICISM OF F1 DRIVERS

Fernando Alonso has repeated his criticism of drivers near the back of the Formula One grid after a collision with Alexander Albon at the United States Grand Prix. Albon tried to overtake Alonso on the inside during the opening lap in Austin, and the collision damaged Alonso’s Aston Martin. After the race, Alonso said the quality of drivers in the lower third of the grid was “very low”. Speaking before the Mexico City Grand Prix, he said he had not changed his view. Albon said he disagreed with Alonso’s assessment.

Alonso described what he saw as “a very low level of driving and lack of talent”. He criticised drivers who, in his view, make repeated mistakes and crash on the first lap. Alonso said he would be unhappy with that record if he were a team principal. Aston Martin has struggled to score points this season, with problems involving its chassis and Honda engine. That has put Alonso in competition with drivers and teams towards the back of the grid.

Albon said he had looked up to Alonso while growing up and that hearing the comments was “not nice”. He added: “I think the level is strong up and down the grid.” Albon said he believed the back half of the grid was stronger than it had been 10 or 15 years ago. He also said Formula One no longer had drivers competing because they brought funding. Charles Leclerc and Sergio Perez also disagreed with Alonso’s assessment ahead of the Mexico City Grand Prix.