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Alesi penalised for hitting Deletraz on qualifying out lap

Ferrari Formula 1 junior Giuliano Alesi has received two penalty points on his license and will start the Paul Ricard Formula 2 race from the pitlane after hitting Louis Deletraz.

Giuliano Alesi, Trident

Giuliano Alesi, Trident

FIA Formula 2

On the first out lap in qualifying, Alesi attempted to overtake Deletraz, who was warming his brakes. Alesi’s right-front hit the rear of Deletraz’s car and broke his rear wing and parts of the suspension.

The stewards penalised Alesi – son of ex-F1 driver Jean – taking his penalty points to three for the season, and decided that he was “wholly responsible for the collision”.

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“It’s difficult for me to say anything right now as we don’t have footage,” Alesi told Motorsport.com before the penalty was issued. “The only thing I can say is that I was in a situation where I was very surprised, and I didn’t really have any time to react or do anything, it just happened. 

“Now I need to try and see if there is any way to see a video replay, if I could have done something I would have done it. It’s very difficult for me to sit here and start pointing fingers because that’s not what we’re here for.”

Deletraz told Motorsport.com: “I’m not blaming him, I think he just made a misjudgement, he didn’t leave any room, I think he was going to overtake. But it’s what everyone does, you have to warm the carbon brakes, everyone does that. 

“He had no chance to avoid because he was so close to me. That’s the main mistake. The car behind has to handle it [the gap], not the car ahead.”

Deletraz’s Carlin team worked hard to fix the rear damage, and he managed to set the fastest first sector of anyone in the closing stages before the rest of his lap had to be aborted because of Ralph Boschung stopping Alesi’s sister Trident after a mechanical issue.

“The car was very damaged,” added Deletraz. “I was very surprised I went out again.

“Driving was bad, especially as it’s a high-speed track, as it was very oversteery. Then there was the red flag, so it’s not my day.

“In practice the race pace was good, still I think we should have been higher up as to qualify 12th [becomes 11th after penalties for other drivers] with such damage and the car being fully taped was very impressive I think.”

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Edition

Australia