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.
Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
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
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