Alonso says reaction to his verdict on quality of F1 drivers 'tells you everything'

The Aston Martin driver said that the quality of drivers at the back of the field is "very low" after colliding with Alex Albon on the opening lap of the United States Grand Prix. Alonso’s car suffered significant damage in the incident.

“I saw some reports trying to pick up eight or seven drivers. I’m not specific on the number of them,” Alonso said ahead of this weekend's Mexican Grand Prix. “But I think we all know which ones we talk about and which ones they felt hit by that comment, so that tells you everything. I still feel the same.”

Alonso said Albon’s move was a mistake that “was not needed”, adding that he found it difficult to understand what the Williams driver saw as an opportunity. But he stressed his criticism was not limited to the Austin incident, saying he had seen similar situations throughout the season.

Alonso acknowledged that drivers at the back have cars that are more difficult to drive, but insisted that there is still a lot of unnecessary mistakes, also making a sarcastic comment about the cost cap regulations.

When asked if the quality of driving standards has decreased over the years, he said: "It's the same. The same over the years. Obviously, when you are at at the back of the grid, the cars are difficult to drive, you know, more difficult to drive. They have less grip. So mistakes are coming more often because you you don't have, you know, the environment that is under control."

He added: "I don't feel that all the incidents in lap one, all the touches, all the front wings that fly around, all these kind of things are not necessary, you know, especially if you are fighting for nothing at the back of the grid and there are the cost cap, you know, also adding to this problem. But, you know, if their teams are happy with the cost cap on breaking things every every race, it's it's okay for them.