F1 drivers hit back at Fernando Alonso’s ‘low quality’ insults

Several F1 drivers have given their response to Fernando Alonso’s recent barbs about standards across the grid, saying they strongly disagree with the Spaniard’s verdict.

Alonso was left in a rage after last week’s US GP, following an opening lap collision with Alexander Albon when the Williams tried to overtake him. "I think the quality of the drivers in the lower third of the grid is very low, as we saw today with Alex,” he said.

After unloading in Texas, the Aston Martin man then doubled down on the comments before Mexico - but not all his F1 colleagues agree.

Leclerc, Albon and Perez disagree with Alonso on his F1 verdict

Alonson was seriously unhappy with Albon's opportunistic move up the inside in Austin, one that left the former with significant damage to his car.

One week on and the Spaniard has hardly mellowed, reemphasising the point on some drivers towards the back of the grid.

“I think it’s a very low level of driving, and lack of talent,” he said.

“When you make repeated mistakes, throughout the season, and you have crashes on 50% of your races in lap one.

“If I was the team principal, I will not be happy. But if they are happy, you know, I'm okay with that.”

However, Albon was given a chance to have his say prior to this weekend’s grand prix and, after at first remaining diplomatic, began to stand his ground more.

“I'll double down with what I said as well,” responded Albon.

“I have a huge respect for Fernando. I looked up to him to a lot growing up as a kid, and yeah, obviously it's not nice to hear those comments in many ways.

“You're racing someone that you look up to, but at the same time, I don't agree. It's as simple as that.

“I think the level is strong up and down the grid. I think 10, 15 years ago, the back half the grid wasn't the way it is now. We don't have pay drivers anymore. It is, what it is. Hopefully, we don't cross corners or cross paths in the race this weekend.”

Perez, on the other hand, went for the more diplomatic route when questioned on it.

“In the heat of the moment we all say things that we don't mean or we don't feel,” he reasoned.

“Of course, I think the level at the back is as high as in the front.

“I think if we swap cars with the guys at the front, we will be having very similar results, or vice versa. This is the the only issue with Formula 1. You are as good as your car and your team, so I think the level is really high. And yeah, when you look at the names that are in the back, it's really really high.”

Having driven for Ferrari for almost his entire F1 career, Charles Leclerc has largely enjoyed life at the sharp end of the grid, but came to the defence of Albon in particular when questioned.

“When we grew up together in in karting, Alex was up there and was actually a driver I was looking up to,” he said.

“He was always one or two categories above me, but he was exceptional.

“And today, I'm sure that the level of the grid is super high, whether it's in the back, in the middle, or in the front. The only things that change is obviously the race car that we are driving.”