Skip to main content

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Recommended for you

Winners and losers from the IndyCar Grand Prix of Long Beach

IndyCar
Long Beach
Winners and losers from the IndyCar Grand Prix of Long Beach

Jacky Ickx: If 2026 F1 rules grow audiences "that’s fine, it’s all that matters”

Formula 1
Jacky Ickx: If 2026 F1 rules grow audiences "that’s fine, it’s all that matters”

Comparing top Formula 1 drivers to NBA stars

Formula 1
Miami GP
Comparing top Formula 1 drivers to NBA stars

IndyCar Officiating confirms Scot Elkins as Managing Director of Officiating

IndyCar
Long Beach
IndyCar Officiating confirms Scot Elkins as Managing Director of Officiating

Formula E launches innovative Gen4 car at Circuit Paul Ricard

Formula E
Formula E launches innovative Gen4 car at Circuit Paul Ricard

How to make F1's 2026 rules simpler - and why Christian Horner was half-right

Feature
Formula 1
Feature
How to make F1's 2026 rules simpler - and why Christian Horner was half-right

Why Ducati stronghold Jerez presents Aprilia’s ultimate MotoGP test

MotoGP
Why Ducati stronghold Jerez presents Aprilia’s ultimate MotoGP test

The big Stefano Domenicali interview – on the 2026 rules, Max Verstappen and F1’s future

Feature
Formula 1
Feature
The big Stefano Domenicali interview – on the 2026 rules, Max Verstappen and F1’s future

Palmer believes Alonso deserved a penalty

Jolyon Palmer believes that Fernando Alonso's bold move during the Belgian Grand Prix was "identical" to Kevin Magnussen's move on teammate Nico Hulkenberg at the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Jolyon Palmer, Renault Sport F1 Team RS17, Carlos Sainz Jr., Scuderia Toro Rosso STR12
Jolyon Palmer, Renault Sport F1 Team RS17, Felipe Massa, Williams FW40, Lance Stroll, Williams FW40, Carlos Sainz Jr., Scuderia Toro Rosso STR12
Jolyon Palmer, Renault Sport F1 Team RS17, Felipe Massa, Williams FW40, Carlos Sainz Jr., Scuderia Toro Rosso STR12, Lance Stroll, Williams FW40
Jolyon Palmer, Renault Sport F1 Team RS17
Nico Hulkenberg, Renault Sport F1 Team RS17
Fernando Alonso, McLaren MCL32

The pair went side-by-side into Rivage midway through the race, with Alonso taking the inside line.

Palmer held the outside line but quickly ran out of track as Alonso forced him out wide.

This allowed Alonso, and the Toro Rosso of Carlos Sainz, to pass.

The incident was reported by Renault immediately after Palmer said on team radio: "Come on, Alonso just forced me straight off the track."

Palmer believes the incident is identical to the clash between Magnussen and teammate Hulkenberg in Hungary, for which the Dane was given a penalty.

"We got stuck behind Alonso, who forced me off the track pretty clearly," said Palmer. "If you ask me there's nothing between that and what Kevin (Magnussen) did to Hulk (Hulkenberg). It was identical.

"I don't know if he'll get a penalty. We'll see - but that cost me two places. If halfway round the corner he just decides he's going to force me off the track, it's exactly the same. It's up to the stewards to decide.

"But if Magnussen gets a penalty for sure Alonso has to get a penalty as well."

The incident between Magnussen and Hulkenberg, which led to a war of words between the two in the post-race TV pen, resulted in a five-second penalty for Magnussen.

Despite the incident with Alonso, Palmer was happy to find some form following a tough start to the season.

"I felt confidence in the car that I haven't felt all season really," said Palmer. "I could attack, I could push and I could chuck it around without think it's going to put me in the wall at some moment.

"It was a nice change compared to pretty much most of the season."

Aaron Rook

Previous article Hamilton: NASCAR-style safety car was unnecessary
Next article Hamilton says engine mode error helped him fend off Vettel

Top Comments

Latest news