Fernando Alonso has condemned the online abuse against FIA Race Steward Silvia Bellot as he also clarified the F1 title winner comments.
Ever since the reversal of the FIA decision where Alpine’s Alonso was handed a 10s stop and go penalty, which dropped him out of points, the stewards seemingly came under fire on social media from the Spaniard’s fans for her and the team’s decision.
The panel also had Garry Connelly, Dennis Dean and Enrique Bernoldi. The penalty was handed to Alonso after the protest from Haas but Alpine pressed charges against the decision where they noted that the American F1 team were late in filing their protest.
The hearing in Mexico eventually reversed the decision especially on technicality where they agreed that Haas were late in filing their original protest. Alonso got back seventh place but it came after the Spaniard released public statements on the matter.
This enraged his fans, who seemingly went after Bellot – who is also from Spain. Alonso publicly had support towards her as he condemned the online abuse. “I strongly condemn the recent online abuse which has been directed at FIA Race Steward Silvia Bellot,” he wrote.
“This type of hateful behaviour is unacceptable in sport and society. It is particularly deplorable that these comments are aimed at one of our sport’s volunteers and officials. I will continue to support the FIA and F1 in their efforts to drive out such harm and harassment and I call on others to do the same.”
Alpine also released their own statement: “We are disappointed to learn of the unacceptable harassment aimed at FIA Race Steward, Silvia Bellot. There is no room for any form of harassment or abuse in our sport and we condemn this behaviour.”
Aside this, Alonso also had to clarify his comments regarding different F1 world champions. In an interview to De Telegraaf, the Spaniard indicated that Max Verstappen deserved the championship and hinted it to be more valuable than what others did.
“I have a lot of respect for Lewis, but still it is different when you win seven world titles when you only had to fight with your teammate,” said Alonso. “Then I think a championship has less value than when you have fewer titles but have had to fight against other drivers with equal or even better material.
“In 2005 and 2006, I had a good start to the year myself and was able to create a lead. Then others might have had a better car, but I was able to manage that gap. I never had to fight with my teammate to win those titles. Nor did I see Max fighting with Perez or Albon to win races.
“But Schumacher in particular fought with his teammate to become champion five times in a row and Hamilton fought with Rosberg and Bottas. That’s different, I think,” summed up Alonso, as his comments kick-started widespread criticism on social media.
He has since clarified his comments on social media itself. “And again… Please, all the titles are amazing, well deserved and inspiring. Incomparable to each other and let’s enjoy champions and legends of our current time. Tired of the continuous search for headlines . Let’s enjoy them,” noted Alonso.
Here’s FIA on penalty reversal of Fernando Alonso