After the first practice session at the Monaco Grand Prix, Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso expressed his frustration with the hybrid cars that will compete in Formula 1 from 2026. Alonso, known for his critiques of new machinery, described the current vehicles as “the worst” he has driven on the Monte Carlo circuit.
The new regulations have generated significant changes in how drivers manage energy during races, which, according to him, has reduced the challenge in fast corners. On a circuit like Monaco, where energy is not a concern, drivers still have to manage the limitations imposed by the new rules.
Alonso stated: “This is probably the worst generation of cars I have driven in Monaco.” He explained that battery management issues disrupt the consistency of the engine braking, resulting in an unstable driving experience. “If the battery is full, it cannot be charged because it is already full, so there are moments when the engine brake is nonexistent,” he specified.
Furthermore, the Spanish driver complained about the problems with his machinery, the AMR26, which has suffered from random shifts and chronic understeer despite adjustments made. This has affected his performance, leaving him behind other teams at the end of the practice day.
With a difference of 0.178 seconds to the Cadillac team, and with the next team, Racing Bulls, at 0.546 seconds away, Aston Martin faces a significant challenge to recover lost time.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
