Damon Hill believes that the tactics employed by Fernando Alonso during the Australian GP were not incorrect. Alonso, along with Damon Hill and George Russell, engaged in a intense battle for sixth place on the final lap of the race. The Aston Martin driver’s abrupt braking, which was deemed dangerous by the stewards, resulted in Russell’s frightening crash. This incident has raised numerous questions about Alonso’s aggressive racing style. Some individuals within the F1 community have labeled it as brake checking, while others argue that it was within the limits of fair play.
After the race, an investigation resulted in a 20-second penalty for Alonso, costing the two-time champion two grid places. Former Formula 1 World Champion Damon Hill has expressed his thoughts on the incident, defending the Spaniard against his critics. Hill emphasized that Alonso’s early braking maneuver was simply a part of the sport and highlighted that such moves are inherent risks in Motorsports.
Hill also praised Alonso’s move as a clever and intelligent decision. He concluded by stating that unexpected actions are a fundamental aspect of racing and that George Russell’s collision with the wall cannot be solely attributed to the fault of the two-time World Champion.
Following the Australian Grand Prix, pundit Martin Brundle shared his thoughts on the incident after it was officially announced that Fernando Alonso had received a 20-second penalty. The Sky Sports F1 journalist discussed what Alonso had communicated to the stewards in response to the unusual incident.
Brundle further added that Alonso’s technique was reminiscent of a similar move he made on David Coulthard during the race at Nurburgring in 2003. The 20-second penalty imposed on Alonso continues to be a topic of heated debate among fans and pundits alike.