'Someone isn't doing their job,' says Alonso

©McLaren

40

It was another wasted day at the races for Fernando Alonso yesterday in Sochi, with the Spanish driver pulling out of the Russian Grand Prix before he even reached the grid.

Alonso's McLaren failed on the warm-up lap, the victim of a suspected Honda ERS issue, leaving the two-time world champion to watch the race on TV from his team's hospitality unit.

Obviously angry, Alonso tried to be philosophical.

"These are things that happen in the sport," he told the Spanish broadcaster Movistar.

"As for me, I tried this weekend to drive as fast as I can, helped the team in the way I could and now I'm going home.

"Next is Barcelona, but if I get there and I cannot run, what am I going to do? I do my job, but there is someone who doesn't do theirs."

The pun was clearly directed at Honda and its complete inability since the beginning of the season to get on top of the problems undermining its new power unit.

Video: Vettel flips the bird to Massa!

Alonso tried to leave Sochi as soon as he broke down on Sunday.

"I tried but there were no planes," he smiled.

"So I will have an ice cream and watch the race instead."

The Spaniard is scheduled to test his Andretti Autopsort Indycar on Wednesday at Indianapolis as he gears up for the Indy 500.

While many believe his only logical choice next season is to embark on a full season of Indycar racing, Alonso remains non-committal one way or the other about his future.

"F1 is my life," he said.

"I hope we can improve the situation soon. I think in 2018 we will see what will happen with each of us," Alonso told reporters.

Gallery: All the action from Sunday in Sochi

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.