In Japan, Fernando Alonso cleverly utilized tactics towards the conclusion of the race. The amusing suggestion was made by Alonso himself that he could potentially face disqualification from the championship by the FIA for providing Oscar Piastri with DRS assistance in the final laps of the Japanese Grand Prix. Prior to this race, Alonso had encountered frustration due to a post-race penalty and super license points received for a controversial defense against George Russell in the previous Melbourne race.
During the Japanese Grand Prix, Alonso implemented strategic maneuvers as the race neared its end. While occupying sixth place, Piastri closely trailed in seventh, while Russell was rapidly closing in from eighth position with fresher tires. Taking inspiration from Carlos Sainz’s approach at the 2023 Singapore Grand Prix, Alonso deliberately slowed down to allow Piastri to benefit from DRS, with the aim of thwarting Russell’s progress.
This tactical move seemed to be effective, as it potentially secured their positions until Piastri made a mistake on the penultimate lap, providing Russell with an opportunity to overtake. Nonetheless, Alonso successfully defended his position, contributing eight points to Aston Martin’s overall score.
When questioned about his intentional actions after the race, Alonso humorously criticized the FIA stewards, jokingly suggesting that he might face disqualification from the championship, similar to his experience in Australia. Piastri, who benefited from Alonso’s tactics, confirmed the intention behind the strategy, noting how Alonso carefully managed his energy usage to remain within DRS range and block Russell’s advancement. However, Piastri admitted to a minor error in the final chicane.
Despite showcasing remarkable skill at Suzuka, Alonso expressed dissatisfaction with his overall situation. During an interview with Sky Sports F1, he reflected on his performance and the race outcome, stating that he had a lot of fun and considered it to be one of his best weekends in terms of driving. However, he also acknowledged being 44 seconds behind the leader, which diminished the attractiveness of his performance. With mixed feelings about his competitiveness and future in the sport, Alonso’s outlook remains uncertain.