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Fernando Alonso says F1 drivers will discuss the recent series of messy race starts in 2016. Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton collided in Bahrain, the two Ferraris clashed in China, and last Sunday at Sochi Sebastian Vettel was left furious after being punted into the barrier by the Red Bull of Daniil Kvyat.
"Especially the first few corners have been strange this year," McLaren-Honda's Alonso, one of the most experienced drivers in F1, told Cadena Cope radio. "This last one (in Russia) I escaped by a whisker. For Barcelona we will try to speak about it at the drivers' meeting," said the Spaniard. "We have to see what has upset the grid so much this year."
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However, Alonso does not jump on the bandwagon of those slamming young Russian Kvyat, who was caught up not only in the first corner controversies in China but then again in Russia. "Surely he was to blame for Sochi and that is why he received a penalty, so I am sure he will be a little calmer next time," said the double world champion. "But Shanghai I think was a little unfair (on Kvyat), the whole controversy was an unfortunate situation for everyone but I don't think anyone was to blame." (GMM)
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Replies (2)
Login to replykhasmir
Posts: 893
Good point, too many first lap incidents recently. The race is not won in the first lap but it can surely be lost in it.
But maybe Alonso should have another look at the start in China. Kvyat hardly made the turn after flying past Vettel. If Vettel had not reacted then Kvyat would have taken both Ferrari's out in an almighty crash.
Ok, he drives a Red BULL but those Ferrari's are not red capes that must be impaled.
Barron
Posts: 625
I thought DK took a racing chance in China and I don't believe there was anything wrong with it, but after Russia, people are bound to revisit the 'China Incident' and see a pattern emerging, perhaps a little unfairly. Grosjean was 'infamous' for his first corner mishaps and he eventually calmed down and became a mature (and very quick) racer. Perhaps the first corner incidents are a sign of frustration by the lower teams in that they see it as a one time only chance to jump the superior teams. If they had confidence in their cars pace, I'm sure the 'lesser teams' would not go charging in at the first corner like that...