Alonso’s Ferrari passes FIA inspections
An unusual image spiced up the end of the German Grand Prix on Sunday: Fernando Alonso sitting on Mark Webber's car, one of his rivals for the championship. The Spaniard had no choice... he had run out of fuel...
At the end of the German Grand Prix, held this Sunday, Fernando Alonso crossed the line in second position. The Spaniard, however, did not make it back to his pit, stopped by a fuel shortage a few hundred meters after crossing the checkered flag.
Invited onto the podium, it’s Mark Webber, in the Red Bull-Renault who slowed down to carpool the Ferrari driver. Once back in the pits, the Spaniard could still face an issue, a disqualification.
The FIA regulations indeed stipulate that all drivers finishing a race must have at least one liter of fuel remaining in their tank. After the Ferrari returned to the pit and passed the FIA checks, no sanction was necessary, as the Spaniard cut his engine just in time.
Domenicali, head of Ferrari, specified that the correct amount of fuel was present in Fernando Alonso’s tank and that cutting the engine before the end of the slowdown lap was a simple precaution.
Mark Webber, who stopped to pick up Alonso, could have been sanctioned by the FIA, which ultimately took no action against the Australian driver.