F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Palmer livid over Alonso move: 'He deserved a penalty!'

Jolyon Palmer says Fernando Alonso should have been handed a penalty for forcing him off the track at the Turn 8 hairpin in Sunday' Belgian GP.

Half-way through the race, the pair found themselves locked in a battle for P12 when the McLaren driver held the inside line going into 'Rivage', but widened his trajectory, also forcing Palmer to go wide.

While the Stewards saw nothing wrong with the maneuver, Palmer was very unhappy with the Spaniard's driving.

"We got stuck behind Alonso, who forced me off the track pretty clearly," said Palmer right after the race.

"If you ask me there’s nothing between that and what Kevin did to Hulk. It was identical. I don’t know if he’ll get a penalty. We’ll see. But that cost me two places.

"If halfway round the corner he just decides he’s going to force me off the track, it’s exactly the same [as Magnussen/Hulkenberg]. It’s up to the stewards to decide.

"But if Magnussen gets a penalty for sure Alonso has to get a penalty as well."

Palmer was in scintillating form all weekend, running as high as P7 in qualifying, but mechanical woes once again dogged the Briton's efforts.

"I think the race could have gone better; we knew that taking a penalty would mean starting on used tyres with everyone around me on fresh sets and that was always going to put us on the back-foot," he said.

Despite that, I had a decent start and the car was much better once we changed tyres. It was just a case of being stuck in traffic for much of the race.

"I had some good fights though, they were fun, but it’s a shame not to have anything to show for it. Had we started seventh, points would have definitely been achievable today."

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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.

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