As Speedcafe reports, the paddock in Mexico City is still buzzing from a fierce war of words over driver quality sparked by a first-lap crash in Austin. Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso is refusing to back down from his explosive claim that the standard of drivers toward the rear of the field is "very low". The controversy erupted last week following a collision between the Aston Martin driver and Williams driver Alex Albon.
Speaking ahead of the Mexico City Grand Prix, Alonso clarified that his initial mention of the bottom third of the field was not meant as a rigid mathematical figure. Even so, the double world champion insisted that the guilty parties knew who they were. "That tells you everything, so I still feel the same," Alonso said, adding that he still found it difficult to understand the opportunity Albon saw in that moment. He also warned that repeated contact down the order carries a heavy financial toll for teams trying to survive under the budget cap.
If they want to stay in Formula 1 for longer, if they want to have an opportunity to get into a bigger team, or if they are happy to crash,
Naturally, the rest of the grid has plenty to say about that. Williams driver Alex Albon doubled down on his own stance, labeling their collision a 50-50 incident and admitting it hurts to hear such criticism from a childhood idol. Still, Albon pushed back hard against the veteran's assessment of the field. "The back half of the grid wasn’t the way it is now; we don’t have pay drivers anymore, so it is what it is," Albon noted, arguing that the overall depth of talent in Formula 1 has improved significantly compared to a decade ago.
Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc leaped to Albon's defense while backing the entire grid. "I’m sure that the level of the grid is super, super high, whether it’s in the back, in the middle, or in the front," Leclerc said, pointing out that machinery is the only real separator. Alpine driver Pierre Gasly agreed, noting that driving standards have actually calmed down compared to when he first joined the series nine years ago.
Haas driver Oliver Bearman also rejected the criticism, explaining that backmarkers are simply forced to take massive risks because the top four teams lock out the top eight positions. Cadillac driver Sergio Perez echoed that sentiment with a blunt truth about the sport. "You are as good as your car and your team, so I think the level is really high," Perez said, suggesting that swapping cars across the grid would yield similar outcomes.
Despite the wall of opposition from his peers, Alonso left the matter in the hands of the drivers rather than the stewards. The Spaniard warned that ambitions must be kept in check. "If they want to stay in Formula 1 for longer, if they want to have an opportunity to get into a bigger team, or if they are happy to crash," he said.
