Alonso: Radio transmissions should be private

Sport360 staff 18:40 08/10/2015
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  • Fernando Alonso confirmed this week that he would stay with McLaren.

    Fernando Alonso insists Formula One team radio transmissions should not be broadcast live on television after his outbursts at the Japanese Grand Prix.

    Double world champion Alonso vented his frustrations at another poor display by McLaren and their engine supplier Honda with a number of angry radio exchanges during the race.

    The Spaniard compared his below-par Honda engine to that of a GP2 car – Formula One’s feeder series – and also described Honda’s apparent lack of power as “embarrassing” as he fell back through the field and crossed the line in 11th place.

    Alonso’s remarks would have left the Honda hierarchy deeply embarrassed at their home race, and the McLaren driver has called for such exchanges to be kept private.

    “All season we have been very positive about the team and the car,” said Alonso, who will celebrate his 250th Formula One start in Russia on Sunday.

    “We face some difficult times, some tough times, but what you talk on the radio should remain private because you are talking with your team, not the public.

    “As I said we have been very, very positive all the time, and sometimes it is normal and understandable talking to the team the level of frustration and the level of commitment that I have for racing, and (team-mate) Jenson (Button) has for racing as well – when you are battling and you cannot hold anyone behind and you are losing positions, it is normal.

    “But as I said this is a very unique sport that you have a microphone in our helmet and it goes live on television – imagine with NBA or with football players or something like that.”

    Alonso, who claimed he will see out the remainder of his three-year deal at McLaren despite saying after the last race in Suzuka he was unsure whether he would be racing in Formula One in 2016, added: “It is just the frustration of battling hard and being as competitive as possible.

    “When you are in a car or you are in a race and you try to give it all and you are fighting lap after lap and you keep losing positions easily on the straight even before the braking point, you get some frustration out there on the radio.

    “But I am happy that it was only broadcast in Suzuka because if you hear all the races, all the radio messages, from me or from Jenson you will be even more surprised.”

    Alonso has only 11 points this season while Button, who has confirmed he will stay at McLaren next term, has scored just six.

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