Australian Grand Prix

MotoGP legend blasts FIA for 'embarrassing' Melbourne 'mess'

Graham Shaw Sunday 2 April 2023 23:57

MotoGP legend blasts FIA for 'embarrassing' Melbourne 'mess'

The FIA was under fire from all quarters following that controversial finish to Sunday's Australian Grand Prix – including stars from outside F1.

Three red flags and a finish under the safety car brought widespread dismay following a race which eventually lasted for more than two-and-a-half hours.

While inevitable comparisons were drawn with overtime finishes in NASCAR, motorsport's global governing body also came under heavy fire from a MotoGP legend – two-time world champion Casey Stoner.

Casey Stoner on Melbourne mayhem

The 37-year-old great rounded on the FIA in a withering Twitter post in which he accused them of putting entertainment before sport.

Stoner's message said quite simply: "@fia you have embarrassed yourselves today with @F1 What an unnecessary mess.

"Please remember everyone, this is a sport first and entertainment second, not the other way around."

@fia you have embarrassed yourselves today with @F1 What an unnecessary mess.
Please remember everyone, this is a sport first and entertainment second, not the other way around.
— Casey Stoner AM (@Official_CS27) April 2, 2023

The decision to bring out the red flag for a second time following Kevin Magnussen's crash late in the race brought a storm of criticism - especially as it was then followed by mayhem which saw Carlos Sainz eventually drop to P12 and the Alpines of Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon crash out.

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