Alonso joins Russell in calling out FIA over Mexico GP mayhem

Fernando Alonso didn’t hold back after the Mexico City Grand Prix, accusing Formula 1’s stewards of turning a blind eye to what he described as blatant rule-bending at the start of Sunday’s race.

The Spaniard, who was forced to retire later on, was furious that several drivers appeared to gain ground by skipping the tight Turns 2 and 3 chicane at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.

Alonso said he played it fair into Turn 1, fighting hard to make up ground – only to see others bypass the challenge entirely.

Lesson Learned

“We made up some places, we were aggressive into Turn 1 and everything was looking good,” he told F1 TV. “But I think a couple of cars went just straight in Turn 2 and 3 and then they rejoined like three or four cars in front of me.

“So it’s a little bit unfair, I would say. It’s the second time in a row that on the first lap in the first corner, the FIA is looking to the other side. So, lesson learned.”

The Aston martin charger later elaborated on ESPN, saying he understood the need for evasive moves in close quarters – but not for outright shortcuts.

“It’s allowed to cut when you can’t go through the track, sometimes you have to make an escape manoeuvre to avoid touching, that’s allowed,” Alonso said. “What you can’t do is to go flat out and gain two or three positions, because normally you have to give them back.

“But well, surely the FIA had more information, they saw that it was not necessary to give them back and we will try to take advantage of the next time there is a similar situation, hopefully we will be on the other side. But well, always trying to do our best.”

Russell Joins the Fray

Alonso wasn’t the only one fuming. Mercedes driver George Russell also tore into the leniency shown by the stewards, arguing that it undermines fairness at one of F1’s most chaotic opening corners.

“I don’t understand how three drivers can cut the first corner and just continue in the position they entered,” Russell told Sky Sports F1. “It’s like, allowing you to risk everything, but you just have a get-out-of-jail-free card if you get it wrong.”

He didn’t stop there. “You know, we’ve seen it almost every year we’ve been here. I think it was Carlos [Sainz] last year, Charles the year before, Lewis 10 years ago. It’s like a lawnmower racing.

“Something needs to change there. Because as I said, if you can just send it down the outside, you can either make it stick or you just cut the grass and you return in the position you were in before. That’s not really how it should be.”

• Read also: F1i Driver Ratings for the 2025 Mexico City Grand Prix

Clearly Alonso and Russell believe the FIA should tighten the screws, although it sanction Lewis Hamilton for veering off course and “gaining an advantage” following the Ferrari driver’s move on lap 6 against Max Verstappen.

Nevertheless, pressure is mounting on the FIA to clarify how it enforces track limits. But for Alonso, the message was simple: take the scenic route and you might just keep your spot.

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