Alonso: Awarding points for non-race 'actually shocking'

Fernando Alonso says the points awarded to drivers for Sunday's truncated Belgian Grand Prix were an early Christmas gift for some drivers but also a "shocking" decision.

Article 6.5 of Formula 1's sporting regulations allowed the FIA to declare Sunday's event official as the mandatory two-lap requirement, although completed behind the safety car, had been fulfilled.

But as less than 75% of the race distance was not completed, only half-points were distributed to the top ten drivers headed by Red Bull's Max Verstappen.

Alonso, who qualified outside of the top ten, was classified P11, just outside the points.

"It was a terrible day for everyone," Alonso said after the washed-out event. "It was a little bit of an early Christmas because there were some gifts gave today to some people.

"We didn’t race but they still get the position and still get the points, so it’s actually shocking.

"I was P11, I was one place to the points. I was never allowed to fight for those points but they still gave the points. It’s shocking in a way, but it’s the way it is."

• Read also: No points should have been awarded for safety car laps - Norris

Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton argued that FIA race director Michael Masi should have simply called it quits given the horrendous conditions, the Mercedes driver adding that Spa's spectators, who were "robbed" of a race after waiting hours on end in the rain, deserved a refund.

Alonso also sympathized with the hardship endured by the fans on Sunday.

"I feel sad for the people, the fans have been amazing all weekend," he said.

"With this weather, they’ve been always supporting. And after the pandemic, and after races with no spectators for some part of the championship, now to see them is so nice.

"When you can give them nothing in the race is terribly sad. It’s a very strange day."

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