Analyzing Russell and Alonso’s Crash Telemetry Data at the 2024 Australian GP

During the Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix on March 24th, George Russell's late-race crash became a focal point of discussion. Using Python, I constructed two charts to examine the driving approaches of both George Russell and Fernando Alonso leading into a crucial corner.

The analysis revealed a distinctive deviation in Alonso's driving pattern: he abruptly decelerated and applied gentle braking earlier than usual, catching Russell off guard. Subsequently, Alonso swiftly resumed throttle input, complicating Russell's attempt to navigate through the dirty airflow generated by Alonso's car.

This unconventional driving behavior raised questions about its fairness. Alonso was penalized with a 20-second penalty, allegedly for erratic driving, although he claimed the accident was due to problems with the throttle.

Thus, the crucial inquiry arises: Was Alonso's penalty justified, implying erratic driving, or was his claim of throttle problems real?