FIA probes Alonso and Stroll over Monza practice starts

The FIA opened a postrace investigation into Aston Martin drivers Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll after the Italian Grand Prix on Sunday, saying they appeared to have ignored race director instructions on where and how to perform practice starts in the pit lane at Monza. The inquiry comes after a difficult weekend for the team, during which Alonso retired with a suspension failure and Stroll finished last on the lead lap following a troubled, elongated pit stop and an on-track incident.

Race director Rui Marques had set out explicit guidance before the weekend that cars performing practice starts must use the Pit Exit Road, must not cross the white line separating the Pit Exit Road from the circuit and must leave sufficient space for other cars to pass. Marques said cars queuing should keep to the right of the Pit Exit Road and cars not intending to perform a practice start should cross the white line at the earliest opportunity to join the racing line. Officials said Alonso and Stroll were seen carrying out practice starts at the end of the pit lane and will be summoned for a hearing.

Accounts varied slightly on grid positions, with some reports listing Alonso eighth and...