F1 drivers divided over Alonso incident as Bianchi tribute revealed - RacingNews365 Review

Drivers divided over Alonso vs Russell

The biggest talking point on media day of the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka was the incident two weeks ago in Australia around Fernando Alonso and George Russell.

Alonso braked 100m earlier than on any previous lap on Lap 57, causing Russell to take avoiding action and crash heavily.

The stewards handed him a drive-through, converted to a 20-second time penalty and handed him three penalty points.

At Suzuka, it was clear the drivers remained divided, with Nico Hulkenberg, Lando Norris and Lance Stroll holding particularly strong views.

READ MORE: F1 drivers react to Alonso penalty furore after 'dangerous' Russell incident

What do Russell and Alonso make of it?

The two drivers at the heart of the incident themselves, also addressed it having had time to think.

Russell revealed he had actually bumped into Alonso in a Monaco coffee shop over the break, as he felt a "can of worms" would have been opened if the two-time World Champion was not penalised.

As for Alonso, he expressed his surprise at the sanction handed out to him and doubled down.

READ MORE: Alonso adamant he will not change his ways despite Australia 'surprise'

Vettel's comeback?

It would be the biggest return to Formula 1 since Michael Schumacher in 2010, but could Sebastian Vettel really make a comeback to Grand Prix racing?

His recent media blitz certainly means he is in the headlines, but does a comeback, to Mercedes, make any sense?

Lewis Hamilton certainly thinks so - as Ian Parkes delves into the pros and cons of Vettel making a shock return.

READ MORE: Is Vettel to Mercedes nothing more than a rose-tinted dream?

Leclerc's Bianchi tribute

This weekend marks 10 years since Jules Bianchi's ultimately fatal accident at the 2014 Japanese GP.

Of course, the race was in October back then, and it is not quite 10 Suzuka races since owing to the COVID-19 disruption, but F1 marks the solemn anniversary this weekend.

In tribute, Bianchi's godson Charles Leclerc is sporting a very special tribute helmet to the driver many expected would race for the Scuderia himself.

READ MORE: Leclerc reveals Bianchi tribute helmet ahead of Japanese GP