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Fernando Alonso

Alonso responds to allegations against FIA president

Alonso's Saudi Arabian GP podium last year is at the centre of allegations concerning FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

Alonso Aston Martin Saudi Arabia 2024
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Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso has insisted he must respect the FIA's investigation into allegations made against president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

The Spaniard is at the centre of one of the claims made by a whistleblower in a report by the BBC, released ahead of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix weekend, which suggests Ben Sulayem attempted to persuade a penalty given to Alonso in last year's event in Jeddah overturned.

Alonso was reinstated to the podium post-race following an appeal.

Asked for his thoughts on the claims, Alonso told media including RacingNews365: "There is too much talk off-track because the on-track activity is not very exciting at the moment.

"There is one car winning the last 72 grands prix, more or less dominating for three years, so when this happens in the sport, there is always a lot of activity off-track.

"From what concerns us, it is not a problem, it is more an FIA investigation that we have to respect and see the outcome.

"We are happy with all the evidence and proof we showed last year, so it was quite a clear resolution for us.

"So let's see what the FIA says on their own investigation, but it is not really up to us."

'Difficult to comment'

The whistleblower also claimed that Ben Sulayem had tried to stop the Las Vegas street circuit from being given the necessary FIA certification ahead of the inaugural running of the Nevada-based race last November.

Pushed for a response to the off-track allegations, Alonso replied: "It is very difficult to comment because every day, it seems there is another rumour going out.

"This is their own matter and their own investigation, we just respect it, follow it and see the outcome.

"It's difficult to comment from the outside."

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