Fernando Alonso says he was proving a point about the inconsistency of the Formula 1’s rules being applied when he used the Turn 2 run-off to his advantage on the opening lap of the Russian Grand Prix.

Alonso even practiced running wide on his out lap before doing it again in the race. He clearly gained track position on rivals Sebastian Vettel, Daniel Ricciardo and Lewis Hamilton, before they either repassed him or he gave them the positions back.

Previously, Fernando says he’s “been the idiot” who was being overtaken around the outside in this scenario, which is quite the hot-take in itself. “So now, maybe, they change the run-off area in lap one in the first couple of corners,” he added.

Then he went a step further on the application of crossing the white line at pit entry, where we’ve seen penalties applied (Austria) and not applied (Russia). He said of that: “Let's see, the next one that crosses the white line on the pit entry, let's see which nationality he is and which penalty he will get.”

Hmmm, talk about poking the fire ...