Formula One news

FIA: McLaren's actions damaging to sport

The FIA has declared McLaren's decision to hold Fernando Alonso in the pits for 20 seconds as unacceptable. The stewards heard the McLaren management tell Alonso over the radio to stay for that period of time but felt that the reason did not hold water with the track apparently already clear of cars at that point.

The consequent effect to Hamilton's final run and the reputation of the sport itself has been damaged by McLaren's "prejudicial" actions, the FIA reasoned, and thus the stewards see it fit to dock the team of any points it may score tomorrow.

A statement from the FIA read: "The team were asked to explain why having indicated to Hamilton that he must stop at his pit on the next lap, they then informed Alonso whilst he was still on the track that when he also pitted on the next lap he would be held for 20 seconds.

"The team stated that they frequently give estimates as to duration of pit stop to their drivers before they pit and that the reason the car was in fact held for 20 seconds was that it was being counted down prior to release at a beneficial time regard being given to other cars on the track.

"Reference to the circuit map shows that at the time Alonso was told he would be held for 20 seconds there were but 4 cars on the circuit, his own and those of Fisichella, Hamilton and Raikkonen. All but Raikkonen entered the pits such that there can have been no necessity to keep Alonso in the pits for 20 seconds waiting for a convenient gap in traffic in which to leave.

"The explanation given by the team as to why they kept Alonso stationary for 20 seconds after completion of his tyre change and therefore delayed Hamilton's own pit stop is not accepted."

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