Alpine balks at penalties Gasly: 'This cannot be the intention'

Pierre Gasly starts the next F1 season at Alpine F1, but is immediately on edge. With two penalty points remaining, the Frenchman is up against a one-race suspension. According to Gasly's prospective bosses, this is an unfair disadvantage for the team.

A penalty is in a small corner in F1. Gasly received so many this season that he is now on the verge of a suspension. As the penalty points remain for a whole year, the Frenchman will still face the same risk in the first races of the 2023 season at his new employer. Alpine team boss Otmar Szafnauer fears Gasly could easily get the two penalty points, which make for a total of 12, in the season start.

Speaking to Sky Sports, the Romanian said, "It's unfortunate that he has got those points with a different team. If he does happen to cross the threshold and has to miss a race with us, I'm not sure that's what the rule was intended to do. To punish another team." Szafnauer thinks it is unfair that a team can be disadvantaged by a driver's penalty points. According to the team boss, though, the FIA is already consulting on alternative penalties for drivers.

Szafnauer: "This year there are consideration to give places back and another team said don't and you get penalty points. I think we have to relook at it."