Fernando Alonso is “happy” the FIA’s decision to permit his participation in the Abu Dhabi ‘young driver’ test is worrying Renault’s rivals.
Initially, the single day of running on December 15 was only intended for drivers with no more than two races of Formula 1 experience, until FIA president Jean Todt this week opened it up to any driver who didn’t race in F1 this year.
Commenting on that change in criteria, Racing Point boss Otmar Szafnauer was less than impressed.
“I think the rules are pretty clear – it’s a young driver test and a two-time world champion almost in his forties or in his forties to me isn’t a young driver,” he said.
That though would draw a sharp response from Renault boss Cyril Abiteboul, who suggested it reeked of hypocrisy that Racing Point should moan about teams bending the rules.
“There is an indication of young drivers, plus anyone that the FIA will give permission to, and that’s in the absolute right of the FIA to do that,” he says.
“So if Otmar wants to build a claim against the FIA, that would be quite rich, keeping in mind that we know that they have an illegal car.
“We have accepted to settle that one, but if you want to have a go now at the FIA, I would find it quite ironic.”
Also Read:
- After Alonso, Sainz now eyes Abu Dhabi test outing with Ferrari
- Alonso the same driver from ’05, ’06 but Massa fears age ‘is a problem’
- Alonso expects F1 return will be ‘opposite’ of Schumacher at Mercedes
Explaining the decision to run Alonso at the test, Abiteboul was “very straightforward”.
“What’s necessary is to give the team the absolute best possible platform to build upon for next year,” he said.
“No one is here for anything other than absolute performance, and when teams are not here for performance, they are doing things for commercial purpose, and when they are doing that for commercial purpose, there are all sorts of critics in relation to that.
“Clearly, we are not doing that with Fernando for commercial purposes, we are doing that for the sport, for our own competitiveness, and again, that’s the case of every single entity.
“So, we’ve been very straightforward, we’ve been clear with the FIA, clear with F1 about what we were doing.
“There are limits in what we can do anyway,” he added. “Frankly, it’s still very much part of Fernando’s going back into shape and stretching his legs.”
In typical Alonso fashion though, he is enjoying the attention which surrounded his test appearance.
“I know there are a lot of talks about me,” he told Sky Sports. “I’m happy that rival teams are so worried for our test.
“I’m just getting up to speed and they can be more relaxed because I will not develop anything.
“Kubica is doing it I think as well, Buemi too but yeah, not much talk about those,” Alonso added.
“Obviously with two years out of the sport I very much need every kilometre so hopefully I can enjoy the day with no issues on the car and put in some laps.”