Alonso almost penalised for flag waving breach

The FIA on Sunday considered penalising Fernando Alonso for picking up a Spanish flag during his post-chequered flag in-lap.

After winning his home race in Barcelona, Alonso stopped beside a marshal who furnished his Spanish compatriot and hero with a red and yellow Spanish flag.

Once in ’parc ferme’, the Ferrari driver draped the flag over the ’1’ signboard indicating where he should park.

But the glorious moment was actually a breach of a regulation about "receiving an object" prior to the post-race weighing and scrutineering procedure, and Alonso and a Ferrari team member were summoned to the stewards.

Ultimately, the FIA officials let him off without penalty "to be consistent with a previous decision made under similar circumstances".