There Is Another Theory On Why Alonso ‘Brake Tested’ Hamilton In Abu Dhabi

Posted on November 26, 2023 | by Charley Williams What’s a completed F1 season without a bit of drama between Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso? It just wouldn’t feel right without it, would it? In this episode, Lewis accused Fernando of brake testing him during the Abu Dhabi GP! As Alonso emerged from the pitlane just in front of Hamilton in the final stint, it looked as though he slowed down on the approach to Turn 5 – the hairpin that leads onto the long straight. And while he said on the radio it was to let a faster Lewis past, Hamilton felt it was a deliberate brake-testing move from the Aston Martin driver. It led to an investigation for erratic driving on Alonso’s part, which the stewards quickly decided required no further action. However, Sky Sports F1’s Anthony Davidson had a different theory. He said: “I think I’ve figured it out. As they come up to this white line, Fernando slams on the breaks. You know what that white line is? It’s the DRS detection point.” After showing slow-mo evidence of Alonso slowing just as he comes up to the white line, Davidson said: “So I think he’s trying to let Lewis past him, or whatever car he thought was behind him, racing up to that DRS detection point to hopefully give himself the DRS in fighting Lewis when he comes around onto the straight.” However, he didn’t quite make it work as Lewis stayed behind him and used DRS to pass Alonso down the straight (only for Alonso to come back at him the following lap). After the race, Hamilton told media including The Race: “We were flat out at 400 metres, 300 metres before the corner and doing 180mph, and the guy all of a sudden slowed down drastically ahead of me.” When Alonso was asked what he thought of Hamilton’s accusation, however, he smiled and said: “Nothing. Lewis obviously is very clever, understands the sport really, really good and has a lot of experience, but I have more.” Some things never change! What’s your theory on Alonso’s ‘brake test’ moment?