Fernando Alonso continues to brutally question ability of F1 rivals: 'I see things'

Fernando Alonso has doubled down on his criticism of the drivers occupying the lower third of the grid, telling reporters at Mexico City Grand Prix media day that he stands by comments made after his clash with Alex Albon in Austin and insisting "I see things from the car that I cannot tell you."

The Aston Martin driver's frustration stems from a first-lap collision at Turn 11 during the United States Grand Prix, when Albon attempted to pass him on the inside and made contact, leaving Alonso's car with extensive floor and sidepod damage. 

The incident went unpenalised by the stewards, prompting Alonso to brand the quality of drivers at the back of the grid as very low, a comment that drew a response from Albon, who insisted it was a normal racing incident given he had been squeezed from the outside by another car, and from Carlos Sainz, who pushed back on the broader characterisation.

Asked in Mexico whether F1 has an issue with driver quality in the lower third of the grid, Alonso told select media, including RacingNews365, that he was not fixing on a precise number.

"I don't know if it's the 1/3, because then I saw some reports trying to select eight drivers or seven drivers," said Alonso. 

"I'm not specific on the number of them, but I think we all know which ones we talk about and which ones felt hit by that comment. So that tells you everything. So I still feel the same. That was a mistake [by Albon]; it was not needed, and I still find it difficult to understand what the opportunity was that Alex saw in that moment. 

"But it's not only Austin. Unfortunately, it's that part of the race for the whole season, so I see things from the car that I cannot tell you."

Fernando Alonso surprised by 'happy to crash' rivals

The two-time champion was then asked whether he believed the standard at the back of the field had declined over the years, and rejected the idea that this was a new phenomenon.

"No, it's the same over the years," insisted the veteran. "Obviously, when you are at the back of the grid, the cars are more difficult to drive. They have less grip, so mistakes are coming more often because you don't have an environment that is under control. 

"The car doesn't welcome you in a nice way. So you make more mistakes, but I don't feel that all the incidents on lap one, all the touches, all the front wings that fly around, all these kinds of things are necessary. 

"Especially if you are fighting for nothing at the back of the grid, and there is the cost cap also adding to this problem. But if their teams are happy with the cost cap and breaking things every race, it's okay for them."

Alonso also addressed whether he felt the stewards should be taking a harder line on incidents further down the order, suggesting the responsibility lay elsewhere.

"It's not their job [the stewards'], unless there is something clearly unsafe," added Alonso. "So it's not part of the stewards' job. 

"It's just whatever ambition those drivers have for the future: if they want to stay in Formula 1 for longer, if they want to have an opportunity in a bigger team, or if they are happy to crash."