Alonso and Stroll under post-race scrutiny for Monza pit-exit practice starts
Aston Martin’s race day in Monza will end with a trip to the stewards’ room. Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll are set to be investigated after both drivers were seen performing practice starts at the end of the pit lane ahead of the reconnaissance laps for the Italian Grand Prix.
On a circuit where the pit exit narrows and funnels drivers straight into that flat-out first blast towards Turn 1, the pre-race choreography matters. The race director’s event notes for Monza — issued by Rui Marques — were crystal: anyone doing a start must stay on the dedicated Pit Exit Road, keep clear of the white line that separates it from the track, and only use the marked area just before the dashed line to launch. And crucially, cars queueing for a practice start must hug the right-hand side to leave space for those not taking part to pass safely.
As Marques put it in the notes, cars wishing to perform a practice start must use the Pit Exit Road without crossing the white line to the circuit, may stop in the small area before the dashed line to carry out the start, and then must merge from the Pit Exit Road. Those not doing a start are instructed to cross onto the track at the earliest opportunity — before that dashed line — and not cut back into the Pit Exit Road.
That’s the rulebook. The question now is whether Alonso and Stroll followed it to the letter. Both were spotted at the end of the lane, and that’s what triggered the post-race look from officials.
It’s not unusual to see drivers rehearsing clutch bite points on recon laps — it’s almost part of the pre-race soundtrack — but at venues like Monza, with its specific blend of narrow architecture and high-speed commitment, the FIA tends to be particular about the execution. The goal is to keep the pit exit flowing and clear for anyone simply heading to the grid.
For Aston Martin, the timing isn’t ideal. Alonso was due to start eighth, Stroll 16th, leaving the team split across the midfield battle and relying on clean execution to turn strategy into points. Any cloud hanging over procedure, even a minor one, is an unwelcome distraction.
What happens next is straightforward: after the chequered flag, the stewards will review footage, positioning and compliance with the event notes. Outcomes in these situations range from a nothing-to-see-here reminder to a formal reprimand. The specifics will hinge on where exactly the cars stopped, how they queued and whether they impeded others trying to get onto the track.
It’s one of those little Monza subplots that never make the highlight reel but can say a lot about how tight the margins are in modern F1 — even before the lights go out. For Alonso and Stroll, the real work is on track. The paperwork can wait until after the podium.
