Abu Dhabi GP: Fernando Alonso unpunished for Jean-Eric Vergne pass
Fernando Alonso has escaped sanction from the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix stewards for going off-track to complete a pass on Jean-Eric Vergne's Toro Rosso

The Ferrari driver came out alongside Vergne when he rejoined following his second pitstop.
The two cars went side by side, with Alonso going over the circuit boundaries at Turn 2 as he edged ahead.
A post-race investigation was announced, prompting a late charge from Alonso in which he set fastest lap while trying to pull a gap to those behind in case of any penalty.
But he will keep his fifth place after the stewards, including former Lotus and Arrows Formula 1 driver Martin Donnelly, decided no further action was necessary.
The stewards agreed with Alonso's assessment that he had not been left room, and felt it was a racing incident in which neither driver gained an advantage.
"While car #3 did leave the track at Turn 3-4 the stewards believe that he had no choice, as car #18 closed on him," said an official statement.
"Car #18 was at the end of his stint with worn tyres and was fully committed to the turn as car #3 exited the pits.
"Telemetry confirms that car #3 was significantly faster, on option tyres, and had the advantage throughout the sequence.
"The drivers' explanations were completely clear. Therefore the stewards determine that neither car could avoid the incident, and no advantage was gained as a result of the incident."
Vergne subsequently made another pitstop and finished only 17th.
About this article
Series | Formula 1 |
Drivers | Fernando Alonso , Jean-Eric Vergne |
Author | Jonathan Noble |
Abu Dhabi GP: Fernando Alonso unpunished for Jean-Eric Vergne pass
Trending
Albert Park Circuit Modifications Project
Mercedes-AMG F1 Team: Bahrain GP Race Debrief
Why the demise of F1's hypocritical spending habit is cause for celebration
For too long, F1's richest teams have justified being able to spend as much as they want because that's the way they've always conducted their business. STUART CODLING says that's no reason not to kick a bad habit
The double whammy that is defining Vettel’s F1 fate
It's been a tough start to Sebastian Vettel's Aston Martin F1 career, with a lack of pre-season testing mileage followed by an incident-packed Bahrain GP. But two key underlying factors mean a turnaround is not guaranteed
The diva that stole a march on F1’s wide-bodied opposition
In 2017 new F1 technical regulations were supposed to add drama - and peg Mercedes back. STUART CODLING looks at the car which, while troubled, set the stage for the wide-bodied Formula 1 era
The themes to watch in F1’s Imola return
Three weeks is a long time in Formula 1, but in the reshaped start to the 2021 season the teams head to Imola to pick things up after the frenetic Bahrain opener. Here's what to look out for and the developments to follow at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
The 'new' F1 drivers who need to improve at Imola
After a pandemic-hit winter of seat-swapping, F1 kicked off its season with several new faces in town, other drivers adapting to new environments, and one making a much-anticipated comeback. BEN ANDERSON looks at who made the most of their opportunity and who needs to try harder…
The delay that quashed Aston Martin’s last F1 venture
Aston Martin’s only previous foray into Formula 1 in the late 1950s was a short-lived and unsuccessful affair. But it could have been so different, says NIGEL ROEBUCK
Verstappen exclusive: Why lack of car-racing titles won't hurt Red Bull's ace
Max Verstappen’s star quality in Formula 1 is clear. Now equipped with a Red Bull car that is, right now, the world title favourite and the experience to support his talent, could 2021 be the Dutchman’s year to topple the dominant force of Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes?
Are we at peak F1 right now?
For many, many years Formula 1 has strived to do and to be better on all fronts. With close competition, a growing fanbase, a stable political landscape and rules in place to encourage sustainability, 2021 is on course to provide an unexpected peak