Alex Albon is afraid that Haas’ unsportsmanlike tactics in Jeddah will become a norm in F1
Alexander Albon is surprised to see such situations in a Formula 1 Grand Prix but believes that if it is worth it, it may happen again. He is calling for a awareness from the FIA and F1 regarding this unfair behavior.
During the Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, a controversial move by Kevin Magnussen caught the attention. By overtaking Yuki Tsunoda daringly, Magnussen sparked questions about the interpretation of rules in F1 and the notion of sportsmanship.
Kevin Magnussen was penalized with two penalties in Jeddah during the race. After a contact with Alex Albon and a 10-second penalty, Magnussen’s race seemed compromised. However, he adopted an unusual tactic by overtaking Tsunoda off track, and then slowing down the group behind him. This strategy was aimed at creating an opportunity for his Haas teammate, Nico Hülkenberg, to pit without losing position. The maneuver paid off, as Hülkenberg eventually scored a point by finishing tenth.
Albon, although he did not contest the initial contact with Magnussen, was critical of the leniency of the penalty for overtaking off track on Tsunoda.
« I think she was right,” he admitted to the press when asked about what he thought of the first penalty awarded to Magnussen. “It happens, a little bit of pressure. I don’t like the shape of that turn. It’s projecting towards you. I think it’s very deceiving. You need to leave more space than you realize because of the way it turns at the end. They could just make it flat, I think that would be easier. No hard feelings. »
Sanctions may not be effective.
This situation raises questions about the fairness of penalties in F1. Albon expressed his concern about the possibility of other teams adopting similar strategies to ensure points for their drivers.
The other one was a bit cunning, the other penalty of 10 seconds with Yuki. I mean, you essentially guarantee points to your teammate by only taking a 10-second penalty.
Why wouldn’t you do it everywhere? I don’t think five to 10 seconds is enough. I think we should make the move, and leave things as they are.
You saw it this weekend. I think any team would do the same thing if you sacrifice a driver for guaranteed points. Maybe the top teams won’t do it. But the midfield teams that need to score points whenever they can, they would do it every time.
« I think you could see more drivers do it just to ensure a teammate gets some points.
Magnussen’s maneuver could therefore prompt a reassessment of the rules and penalties in F1, in order to preserve the integrity of the competition and prevent the exploitation of regulatory loopholes. The upcoming races will show whether this tactic will be repeated or if measures will be taken to prevent it.
Sanctions applied without considering the accumulation or the stakes
When stewards sanction an action, they take into account the action itself, thus ignoring the impact it could have on the race. Therefore, the sanction that was issued corresponds, individually, to the fact that Magnussen overtook off the track without giving back the position. At the moment the sanction is given, stewards cannot know where the Haas will finish, or how this sanction may eventually be turned into a penalty.
The FIA, at the present time, cannot force a driver to give back a position. Discussions with the FIA will likely mention an obligation to give back a position to avoid this kind of action in the future.
