Alonso's Frustrating Restart: Five-Position Collapse in One Lap at China
Fernando Alonso experienced a dramatic loss of positions during the Chinese Grand Prix restart, dropping five places in just a single lap. The Aston Martin driver's struggles highlighted ongoing difficulties with his car's performance during the race.
The Chinese Grand Prix proved to be a difficult outing for Fernando Alonso, particularly during a critical restart sequence that saw his Aston Martin slide backward dramatically in the field.
In a moment that clearly frustrated the veteran driver, Alonso surrendered five positions in the span of just one lap following the restart. The sudden loss of ground exposed underlying performance issues with the car that plagued him throughout the event.
Alonso was keen to highlight the incident, hoping the broadcasters had captured the sequence for viewers at home. His comment underscored the significance of the moment and the frustration he felt at watching his race position erode so quickly.
The restart difficulties added to what appeared to be a challenging weekend for both driver and machine, with the Aston Martin seemingly unable to deliver the pace or stability needed to maintain competitiveness during the critical phase of the race.
Original source
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Related Regulations
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Full Regulation Text
Article 57.1
Safety Car Deployment
Chapter: Chapter V - Safety
In Simple Terms
The Safety Car is deployed when conditions are too dangerous for racing at full speed - usually after crashes, debris on track, or bad weather. All cars must slow down and line up behind it. Racing only resumes when Race Control decides it's safe and withdraws the Safety Car.
- Deployed for track incidents or dangerous conditions
- Neutralises the race - no overtaking
- All cars must line up behind Safety Car
- Race resumes when track deemed safe
Official FIA Text
The safety car may be deployed by the Race Director when ordered by the clerk of the course if he deems it necessary to neutralise a race. This will normally be when an incident has occurred which has left damaged cars or debris on the track, or when weather conditions make racing unsafe. The safety car will circulate at the head of the field until the track is deemed safe.
Article B5.10.2
Safety Car Pace and Maximum Gap
Chapter: B5
In Simple Terms
When the Safety Car leads the field during a race restart, all drivers must follow in their grid order with no more than 10 car lengths between each car. If visibility is poor, the Race Director can increase this gap to 20 car lengths. The Safety Car stays out until racing conditions are safe enough to resume normal competition.
- Drivers must maintain grid order behind the Safety Car with maximum 10 car length gaps
- Race Director can extend gaps to 20 car lengths during poor visibility conditions
- Safety Car leads the field until track conditions are suitable for racing to resume
- Green lights signal the Safety Car departure and drivers must immediately follow
Official FIA Text
When green lights illuminated, safety car leaves grid and all drivers must follow in grid order no more than ten (10) car lengths apart. Race Director may increase to twenty (20) car lengths in poor visibility. Safety car continues until conditions suitable for competition.
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