A frustrated Fernando Alonso has explained that his trips through the run-off area at the Russian Grand Prix last time out were to "confirm" that Formula 1 has "different rules for different people". The Alpine driver took to the Turn 2 run-off at the Sochi Autodrom on the formation lap, and the opening lap of the race itself, obeying the requirement to negotiate the bollards on the outside of the corner. While he avoided a penalty, with the FIA determining that no lasting advantage was gained , Alonso's actions attracted plenty of attention up and down the paddock. Speaking ahead of the Turkish Grand Prix, Alonso claimed that he drove in such a way to "see the questions here", having felt "a little bit stupid" earlier in the season when he was overtaken by Daniel Ricciardo outside of track limits in Austria. "[I did it] just to confirm that when I do things, they have a different behaviour and a different repercussion on the following event," Alonso told media, including RacingNews365.com , when asked why he went through the run-off area. "Now, maybe they change the run-off area in Lap 1, in the first couple of corners. "I've been the idiot on track for most of the championship, while I've been overtaken from outside of the asphalt by many people in the first couple of races. "Even in Austria – 'Austria 1' and 'Austria 2' – nothing happened, and there were no questions in the following races. "Now, after Sochi, there is a question, so it's a confirmation." Asked to clarify whether he feels he is getting extra scrutiny compared to other drivers, or that this is now an acceptable approach as far as the FIA is concerned, Alonso commented: "It's a confirmation of many things. "One that there are different rules for different people, or different let's say, talks, the week after for different people." Seemingly making reference to Lando Norris crossing the pit entry line in Sochi and avoiding a penalty, Alonso added: "Let's see the next one that crosses the white line on the pit entry, let's see which nationality he is and which penalty he will get."
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