Alonso spoke openly about the “manipulated” race in Valencia, when the F1 stewards heavily influenced the results of the race by waiting for more than 20 minutes to hand Lewis Hamilton a drive-through penalty. And, while Villadelprat agrees the stewards' reaction could have been quicker, he insisted there's no reason for such an intense criticism over the FIA.
“I think Alonso was heated and just out of the car. I can understand their anger because Ferrari thought this race was a turning point in their championship. I also believe the stewards failed to react as they should. But I cannot say that Lewis Hamilton deserved a more severe penalty because it happened exactly as is in the regulations,” said Villadelprat in his column for the El Pais newspaper.
“But the reaction should have been much faster - (the stewards' decision) took about 14 laps! I suppose they waited so long because they were analysing it before giving a verdict. In any case, Fernando needs to be very careful about what he says, because these types of attacks are of no benefit and could even cost a penalty.”
“I know that in times like these it is difficult to keep your head and your tongue cool, but Alonso needs to concentrate on his work, on getting his car on pole position and on stemming the difference that still separates Ferrari from Red Bull and McLaren,” concluded the Spaniard.
Coincidentally or not, Villadelprat has already submitted an F1 entry for the 2011 Formula One championship to the FIA, as he's aiming for a spot on the next year's grid with his team Epsilon Euskadi. So you can figure out the source of his warm feelings towards the ruling body.
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