Fernando Alonso has expressed a harsh criticism of the new regulations of Formula 1 for the year 2026, stating that no driving talent is required to compete effectively. His statements were felt after the British Grand Prix, where the Asturian saw that the new mechanics alter the competition level.
The changes introduced this year include a new chassis configuration and a propulsion system that seeks a 50-50 balance between electric energy and internal combustion. This transformation has given rise to a new type of race, called ‘yo-yo,’ which generates more overtakes thanks to energy management.
The recently held sprint race at Silverstone demonstrated the repercussions of this new format, with drivers overtaking surprisingly on straight lines. Alonso, who had previously described the 2026 cars as the “worst” he has driven, pointed out that the current system reduces the need for risky maneuvers.
According to the Aston Martin driver, managing to overtake a rival has become too easy with the new technologies: “You just need to press a button if you have a more powerful engine than the one in front of you. No special skill is needed to overtake,” he said after the Grand Prix.
The context of his criticism becomes more evident considering Aston Martin’s current situation, which has struggled to score points while competing with other teams, including new entrants like Cadillac. Alonso’s next challenge will be the Belgian Grand Prix, where he anticipates conditions will be similar to those in Silverstone.
“At Silverstone and Spa, energy management is key,” he explained. “You have to save energy in certain sections to deploy it optimally, and that will make the difference,” he added, highlighting that power restrictions will complicate his work at the wheel even further.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
