Fernando Alonso's aggressive rejoin raises eyebrows at Qatar Grand Prix

Vasseur's comments come after Alonso received a reprimand from the race stewards for rejoining the circuit in a manner deemed "unsafe," nearly colliding with Charles Leclerc.

Alonso's dramatic moment unfolded after he experienced a snap of oversteer and ran wide at Turn 2 while defending his position in the top five against Leclerc. This incident occurred shortly after Lando Norris executed a successful overtake 33 laps into the race.

Upon running through the gravel, Alonso utilized a relief road that merged back onto the track in the path of cars exiting Turn 3. Leclerc was forced to take evasive action to avoid a collision with Alonso as he re-entered the track.

Vasseur voiced his opinion on the incident, stating, "If it had been the opposite, I think that Fernando would have been more than vocal over the team radio. That his life was 'really on the edge' and so and so... I think it was far too much coming from nowhere, and crossing the track at 90 degrees, but it's not my decision."

Ultimately, Leclerc managed to pass Alonso and secure a fifth-place finish at the Lusail International Circuit. This result positioned him just behind George Russell, intensifying the battle between Ferrari and Mercedes for the coveted second place in the Constructors' Championship.

Leclerc also weighed in on Alonso's rejoin, acknowledging, "It was on the limit, yes. But on the other hand, honestly, he was so far off that I don't think he saw me at any point when coming back. So it's not the best way to return to the track; at the same time, I don't think he was aware that I was there."

Looking ahead, the Formula 1 calendar sets its sights on the next race scheduled for October 22 in Austin, Texas. The event will unfold on the 5.5-kilometre Circuit of the Americas track, where the United States Grand Prix made its return in 2012 after a four-year hiatus. 

Notably, Formula 1's popularity in the United States has surged in recent times, with additional races added to the 2023 calendar. The Miami Grand Prix will make its return, and a new event in Las Vegas is set to take place later in the season, adding further excitement to the championship.

 

Read More: FIA launch inquiry into Qatar Grand Prix as drivers suffer extreme heat distress (planetsport.com)