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Fernando Alonso

Alonso: Fans don't understand '99%' of team radio

The Aston Martin driver has previously criticised F1 for broadcasting driver comments without the full context.

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Fernando Alonso is unconcerned about what he says over team radio and believes most fans do not understand the transmissions anyway.

The Spaniard took aim at "classic FOM" for broadcasting his team radio during the Japanese GP, after a poor strategy call by the team.

He was one of the first of the leaders to pit at Suzuka, which meant he dropped behind those on a longer stint.

This led him to remark over the team radio: “You’ve thrown me to the lions by pitting me that early mate, unbelievable.”

Alonso has a history of making controversial comments over team radio, his most infamous being "GP2 engine" in reference to the underperforming Honda engine in his McLaren during the 2015 race at Suzuka.

Alonso: Fans do not have bigger picture

Drivers have previously expressed their frustrations with the world feed broadcaster for playing radio messages that could be taken out of context.

Alonso believes this was the case at Suzuka, explaining how fans do not have the entire picture when discussions are being made prior to the race with engineers in private.

"I have no problem at all. Obviously, in Suzuka it was difficult to get the point," Alonso told media, including RacingNews365.

"Even, I think, [after Suzuka, outlet] motorsport.com still put up the radio saying that I was in traffic after my stop.

"I was a little surprised because I don't know what negativity is on that, discussing with the team.

"Obviously you have no information about how the weekend goes, the meetings that we have on a Sunday morning.

"Even on the grid, the conversation on the grid on Sunday in Suzuka, we were talking: 'Don't stop too early, because then with our lack of speed on the straights, we will be in traffic and we will get stuck.'

"So, when the radio comes out, obviously the level of maturity and complexity on the comments, 99% of the people cannot understand."

Hulkenberg: We all know the consequences

Nico Hulkenberg believes it is part of the "entertainment" factor in F1, where drivers could stay stuff in the heat of the moment but know that it could be picked up by the broadcaster.

"We all know that if you say something interesting, worthy, it will be out there," added Hulkenberg.

"So we know the consequences and obviously we have control of that - we don't have to say it.

"But obviously sometimes in the heat of the moment or an emotional moment, you do have an outburst or whatever. I think it's fine. You know, we're racing, but at the end of the day we're also entertainment."

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