Ted Kravitz says scoreless F1 driver had a visit from ‘paddock policeman’ after remarkable Bahrain Grand Prix incident

The Bahrain Grand Prix presents a great opportunity for McLaren to bounce back after Max Verstappen commanded the field at Suzuka.

The four-time reigning world champion produced a stunning lap in qualifying to take pole position from Lando Norris by just 12 thousandths of a second. Verstappen held off pressure from the McLarens to win the race, benefitting from having clean air out in front.

F1 fans were furious as the dirty air on the circuit ‘ruined’ the Japanese GP, with just one overtake inside the top 10. The Bahrain Grand Prix will present a whole different challenge and many expect McLaren to have the advantage.

‘Experts’ think McLaren will be quicker in hotter temperatures, with Bahrain and Jeddah’s conditions being suited to the MCL39. Norris and Oscar Piastri proved that by topping FP1 and FP2 respectively at Sakhir.

The Woking squad were levels above the field, with Norris going almost four tenths quicker than George Russell in third. While McLaren dominated at the front, Aston Martin struggled as they encountered a ‘dangerous’ issue in the session.

FIA investigated Aston Martin after ‘dangerous’ Fernando Alonso issue with his steering wheel in Bahrain

Fernando Alonso missed FP1 in Bahrain as Aston Martin handed test and reserve driver Felipe Drugovich an outing. The Spaniard got back behind the wheel of his AMR25 in FP2, but it did not take long for him to encounter another issue.

The 43-year-old’s steering wheel appeared to switch off during the session before coming off the steering column entirely. Alonso managed to get it working again before heading back to the pits.

He finished the session in P14 as Aston Martin changed the steering column. Speaking via Sky Sports F1 in the pit lane, Ted Kravitz shared that FIA delegates and the ‘paddock policeman’ had come to investigate the problem.

“There was one FIA technical guy down here asking what’s going on. Then all the Aston Martin mechanics have formed a human wall to block anybody from seeing,” he said.

“And now the paddock policeman Jo Bauer has come down to quiz the Aston Martin mechanics about what on earth is going on.

“It looks like it’s just an issue with the steering or something with the steering column rather than the steering wheel itself.

“And I’m sorry, Fernando Alonso isn’t the most experienced Grand Prix driver for no reason, he would’ve done everything possible to keep the steering wheel on, that’s the point.”

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Karun Chandhok issues ‘dangerous’ verdict on Fernando Alonso’s steering column problem in FP2

It has not been a strong start to the season for Alonso. While teammate Lance Stroll has grabbed 10 points thus far, the Spaniard has failed to score in 2025.

Alonso got caught out in the tricky conditions in Melbourne while a brake issue forced him to retire in Shanghai. His steering column issue is the latest concern for the 43-year-old after a torrid start to the season.

Karun Chandhok offered his verdict on the problem as Alonso returned to the garage: “I mean if he took it off, it’s dangerous, and the stewards will probably have a look at that. But if I did come off, that’s also dangerous and the technical delegates of the FIA will be having a look at that.

“Because steering wheels coming off in a driver’s hands isn’t great.”