Fernando Alonso (ESP) Aston Martin F1 Team. 06.03.2024. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Preparation Day. (Sipa via AP Images)

Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso said the amount of attention placed on recent off-track issues surrounding the Formula 1 world is happening because the on-track action is “not very exciting.”

Alonso commented about the investigation into FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayen, who allegedly interfered with the 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix results by commanding the stewards to remove a penalty inflicted to the Spanish driver after committing an offense while serving a previous penalty.

“There is too much talk off-track because the on-track activity is not very exciting at the moment,” Alonso said when asked about the allegations against Ben Sulayem.

“There is one car winning the last 72 Grands Prix, more or less dominating for three years, so when this happens in the sport, there is always a lot of activity off-track.”

When speaking about the penalty itself, Alonso said that “it is not a problem” for Aston Martin and that “it is more an FIA investigation that we have to respect and see the outcome.”

“We are happy with all the evidence and proof we showed last year, so it was quite a clear resolution for us.

“So let’s see what the FIA says on their own investigation, but it is not really up to us.”

The Spaniard added that “it is very difficult to comment because every day, it seems there is another rumor going out.

“This is their [FIA] own matter and their own investigation, we just respect it, follow it and see the outcome.

“It’s difficult to comment from the outside.”