Alonso doubles down on F1 backmarker criticism as Sainz, Albon hit back

Fernando Alonso stood by his criticism of Formula One’s backmarkers ahead of the Mexico City Grand Prix. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

Fernando Alonso stood by his criticism of the driving standards among Formula One’s backmarkers on Thursday, prompting a sharp response from Williams drivers Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon ahead of the Mexico City Grand Prix.

The two-time world champion had described the bottom third of the grid as having “a very low level of driving and lack of talent” after colliding with Albon at last weekend’s United States Grand Prix in Austin. Alonso finished 16th, with Albon 17th.

Asked about his comments in Mexico City, the Aston Martin driver refused to back down.

“I still feel the same,” Alonso said. “I think ‌we ⁠all know which ones felt hit by that comment. So that tells you ⁠everything.”

He added that the incidents and collisions at the back of the field were often unnecessary, particularly when drivers were “fighting for nothing at the back ​of the grid”.

Albon, however, rejected the assessment.

“It’s not ‌nice to hear those comments in many ways. You’re racing someone that you looked ​up to, but at the same time, I don’t agree. It’s as simple as that,” he said.

The Williams driver argued that the standard across the grid was stronger than it had been 10 or 15 years ago, with fewer pay drivers.

Sainz also disagreed with Alonso’s assessment, although he acknowledged the frustrations of racing at the back.

“I think in general none of us in the last third ⁠of the grid deserves to be fighting for the positions we are fighting for,” he said. “We all have plenty of talent to be fighting for podiums, top fives, wins.”