Fernando Alonso is well-known for his strong aversion to the Formula 1 cars designed for the 2026 season, a sentiment he expressed unequivocally after Friday’s practice session at the Monaco Grand Prix.
Since his initial trial of Aston Martin’s newest vehicle, Alonso has emerged as one of the most outspoken critics of F1’s revised regulations, expressing sorrow that high-velocity turns no longer demand as much from drivers, who must ease off the throttle to manage energy.
While Monaco stands out as the sole circuit where energy conservation isn’t strictly necessary, this freedom doesn’t exempt competitors from other operational restrictions, a point a visibly annoyed Alonso emphasized.
“These are likely the most inferior cars I’ve ever piloted around Monaco,” he despondently stated.
“The method of replenishing the battery, involving braking and throttle modulation, inherently introduces significant erratic behavior into the vehicle’s engine braking system. On occasion, the braking effect is reduced, at other times there’s a surge, and sometimes neither occurs.”
“When the battery reaches its maximum capacity, no further recharging takes place since it’s already full. Consequently, there’s an absence of engine braking; it feels more like propulsion.”
“These are simply the regulations. Hybrid vehicles ought not to participate in racing. It’s truly that straightforward.”
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Photo by: Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
Alonso’s general disapproval of the 2026 vehicles is intensified by the particular issues plaguing the AMR26. The Spanish driver has frequently voiced concerns over “unpredictable gear changes” and once more experienced difficulties during Free Practice 1, veering off course near the chicane and making contact with the barrier.
“Currently, we collect a substantial amount of energy while braking,” he clarified. “The rear axle extensively recharges the battery during deceleration. Subsequently, these gear changes necessitate interaction with the engine’s throttle blip to select the subsequent gear. Many factors are at play this season, and it appears our performance is not yet optimal.”
Beyond the operational challenges that render the car “excessively erratic,” Alonso stated that Aston Martin was experiencing “persistent understeer” despite minor adjustments to its configuration, indicating a need for additional testing to potentially rectify the issue.
This explains Aston’s concerning performance gap in the time trials after Friday’s practice; Cadillac recorded a time 0.178 seconds quicker, and the subsequent nearest competitor, Racing Bulls, maintained a 0.546-second advantage on the year’s most compact circuit.
