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Fernando Alonso claims FIA President ‘on board’ for consistent penalties after claims of nationality bias in F1
Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports

Formula 1 has been under fire due to an alleged bias in terms of handing out penalties. Multiple people think that drivers face penalties due to their nationality, while other drivers of specific countries are overlooked when penalized. Fernando Alonso had been vocal regarding his feelings over the status quo. The Asturian had called out the sport over this as well previously. However, since then the 42-year-old has spoken differently about Mohammed Ben Sulayem and his leadership.

Fernando Alonso was penalized twice on two different occasions due to some on-track incidents. However, Lewis Hamilton was overlooked from a penalty when he had committed a similar error on track. Hence, Alonso asserted that the 39-year-old wasn’t penalized as he wasn’t Spanish. Subsequently, the Asturian was spotted in conversation with FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

The 42-year-old revealed that Ben Sulayem was always ‘on board’ with every opinion that the drivers had. Additionally, Alonso was all praises of the FIA president. The Asturian reckoned that the FIA president was aware of the drivers better understanding what the sport needed. Ben Sulayem was also aware that the drivers on the grid would have suggestions for the betterment of the sport.

I spoke with him and he's always on board on every opinion that the drivers have, He knows that we are the ones driving the cars and that we can have some suggestions on things.  Fernando Alonso said, as reported by autosport.com.

Fernando Alonso claimed that multiple points needed to be addressed for Formula 1 as a sport. However, the 42-year-old agreed that Ben Sulayem always heard the drivers’ suggestions. Some more consistent penalties for the drivers could improve the overall quality of the sport. The last thing that F1 needs is such claims of the sport being biased towards particular drivers.

There are a couple of points that we need to address as a sport. But he has always listened to us. Let's see if we make F1 a better sport and a little bit more consistent.  Fernando Alonso noted.

Mike Krack claims Formula 1 needs ‘consistent judgments’

Aston Martin resonated with Fernando Alonso’s comments regarding the penalty bias. Team Principal Mike Krack reckoned that there were two elements at play regarding the status quo. The sport needed ‘consistent judgments’ primarily. Additionally, Krack highlighted that new guidelines were being introduced this season. And sometimes the sport stuck to the rules and that came in the way of driving.

There's two elements there - one is obviously we want consistent judgements, But on the other hand, we have also introduced new guidelines for this season - and sometimes maybe we fall foul also a bit to be stuck in the way we have been driving before. Mike Krack said, as reported by autosport.com.

The Aston Martin team boss highlighted the difference in interpretation of the penalty depending on which side they were. However, everyone required consistency in terms of penalties from FIA. Mike Krack called out everyone to look over the guidelines and then take a fresh start.

Sometimes you think they should be more consistent. But depending on which end [of the penalty] you are, obviously, you [have] a different interpretation of consistency. But I think everybody wants consistency. Everybody should look over the guidelines, including ourselves, and then we take a fresh start. Mike Krack concluded.

Formula 1 consistently strives to make the sport better and better as a whole. Hence, the authorities would need to dive deeper into the issue to find its root cause. F1 has constantly been developing in terms of inclusivity and hence would definitely visit the issues.

This article first appeared on FirstSportz and was syndicated with permission.

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