Angry Alonso tells FIA to use "common sense" after penalty

The McLaren driver was handed a drive-through penalty for a collision with Pastor Maldonado at the start of the race, an incident that ended the Lotus driver's race.

Alonso was also awarded two penalty points for the incident.

The Spaniard had made contact with the Sauber of Felipe Nasr at the start and could not stop his car before impacting against Maldonado.

Alonso suggested Nasr had ruined his race, and said the FIA should be using more common sense and focus on boosting Formula 1's popularity amid the threat from other series like WEC or MotoGP.

"It's FIA things," said Alonso of his penalty. "We see the grandstands half empty on this circuit and half empty on most circuits, and there are championships which are overtaking us on the right, like WEC, MotoGP...

"And then we are trying to make the cars louder. I think we need a bit of common sense."

He added: "To have a drive-through after you've been hit by another car is a bit strange, and I think it's unique. F1 needs to ask itself about the sound of the cars, or what is the problem to have less and less spectators.

"This kind of season, they need to make more sense about what they are doing, because I don't see this in WEC, MotoGP and other categories that are much more fun than us.

"We need to look at many things. They need to get some consistency in the penalties, some common sense, and be fair."

Alonso finished the race in 17th position, and he was at least hoping all the data gathered will be useful for McLaren.

"The one time we had a good start somebody touches you from behind he ruins your race," he said. "At least the season is over.

"It was a race in clean air. It was a test. We always say the races are tests, and today was a perfect one without any battles, running alone the whole race, so I hope we have good data."