Alonso avoids penalty over Vergne incident

Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso has escaped any post-race sanction after race stewards in Abu Dhabi decided that no further action was necessary over his off-track pass of Toro Rosso’s Jean-Eric Vergne.

Alonso came out of the pits alongside Vergne following his second stop, but was only able to edge ahead of the Frenchman’s car after running off the track. The stewards subsequently announced a post-race investigation as the Spaniard had exceeded track limits, but on reviewing the evidence and hearing from both drivers they decided no penalties were necessary.

“While car #3 did leave the track at Turn 3-4 the stewards believe that he had no choice, as car #18 closed on him,” said a stewards’ statement.

“Car #18 was at the end of his stint with worn tyres and was fully committed to the turn as car #3 exited the pits. Telemetry confirms that car #3 was significantly faster, on option tyres, and had the advantage throughout the sequence.

“The drivers’ explanations were completely clear. Therefore the stewards determine that neither car could avoid the incident, and no advantage was gained as a result of the incident.”

Alonso went on to finish the race in fifth place, whilst Vergne came home 17th after falling back through the field and making a final pit stop.