Alonso Critical of Italian GP Marshals

Spanish driver Fernando Alonso criticised the Italian Grand Prix marshals for not pushing him after he spun into the gravel during the race.

The Renault driver was running in third place when he spun at the second chicane of the Monza circuit, his car stopping with the rear tyres on the gravel, but with his engine still running.

Alonso made signs to the track marshals to be pushed back onto the track, but the marshals refused to do it. The Spaniard was very critical of their decision, claiming they would have pushed the car had it been a Ferrari.

"I guess if you don't drive a red car they just don't push you," said Alonso.

World Champion Michael Schumacher lived a similar situation during last year's European Grand Prix, where he spun after colliding with Williams' Juan Pablo Montoya. Schumacher, however, was pushed by the marshals and returned to the race to finish in fifth place.

"My spin occurred when I took too much kerb in the second chicane and lost control of the rear end of the car but after that, I was surprised that the marshals decided not to push me, as the rules allow them to," he added.

Alonso's spin ensured that Briton Jenson Button took third and helped BAR to take second place in the Constructor's Championship away from Renault.

"I was quick, but did not have fantastic grip all race - at the end I pushed it to the limit and I went off," said Alonso. "It was very hard and the car was not too competitive but I was in good position. I pushed to keep the gap close to Button so not to lose points in the constructors championship.

"I did all I could but didn't finish. We feel we can get back in the last three races. This is the worst circuit for us and we lost out to them - but we can get it back."