F1 | Fernando Alonso fears a slower, less competitive Formula 1 in 2026. Fernando Alonso shares his concerns about the 2026 F1 regulations.

A historic change that doesn’t convince everyone

The arrival of the new technical regulations for 2026 brings with it the elimination of DRS and the introduction of two innovative systems: the Override, which allows a temporary spike of electric power, and active aerodynamics. These measures are designed to make races more competitive, but according to Fernando Alonso, they might not achieve the desired effect. The Spanish driver, preparing to face another major change in his long career, observes realistically that the nature of the sport remains unchanged: competition against the clock and rivals with the same set of tools. For him, beyond the forms and technologies, the essence of Formula 1 does not change, and the new cars will not be so different from what he already knows.

The overtaking challenge and energy management

Fernando Alonso’s main concern is the real possibility of overtaking. Without an asymmetrical system like DRS, he fears that the Override, accessible both to attackers and defenders, could cancel out any advantage. Using too much energy for a move might also leave the driver vulnerable to a counterattack on the next straight, creating scenarios where it may be wiser to avoid attempting the overtake rather than forcing it. In this sense, strategy could become extremely conservative, potentially reducing the spectacle instead of increasing it. This is a paradox the two-time world champion does not rule out: if no one gains a real advantage, overtakes could become an unnecessary risk.

Open questions and the decisive role of tyres

Fernando Alonso acknowledges, however, that any judgment remains theoretical until the cars hit the track and the real impact of energy consumption in critical moments is understood. For him, the truly decisive factor will be another: the tyres. With more pit stops and significant differences in performance between compounds and strategies, overtakes would occur naturally, without relying on technological tricks. In that case, the regulations would carry less weight than tyre behavior, historically the true balancing factor in modern races. The question that remains is whether the new package will truly increase race intensity or if, as Fernando Alonso fears, it could actually diminish it.