Ferrari uncover 'serious problem' as drivers in 'danger' without change

Ferrari uncover ‘serious problem’ as drivers in ‘danger’ without change

Fernando Alonso has called for changes to the Australian Grand Prix track layout after gravel kicked up onto the Turn Six kerb sent him into a spin that ended his race early.

The Spaniard has been involved in two incidents at that corner in consecutive years as a crash for George Russell – who was trailing in his dirty air before losing control – disrupted the end of the 2024 running of the event.

“I don’t think I was off track or putting the car on a different racing line than on any other lap before,” Alonso explained. “I found a lot of gravel just there at that moment where I put the rear tyre, and I lost the car. I was surprised about that.

“That Turn Six design is probably not the best, bringing gravel to the track and not away from it. But it was the same for everybody. A mistake today, and in five days, we have another go.”

Asked about a corner redesign, he continued: “Yeah, I think so. We had a lot of damaged cars. I think in qualifying, Antonelli destroyed the floor there.

“We should never have a corner where the gravel goes into the track, because that’s a danger for drivers, marshals, everyone. So that’s the number one priority. I think Turn Six needs a little bit of a trick.”