Fernando Alonso delivered a blunt assessment of Formula 1’s 2026 cars after being eliminated in Q1 at the Spanish Grand Prix, arguing that Madrid’s spectacular La Monumental corner does not demand the courage its appearance might suggest. The Aston Martin driver believes the current emphasis on energy management prevents drivers from exploiting such sections of the circuit in the traditional way.
His comments also echo recent criticism from Max Verstappen, who has questioned whether the 2026 generation of Formula 1 cars has become too straightforward in certain areas and whether the regulations reduce the opportunity for individual driver talent to make a decisive difference.
Fernando Alonso dismisses the challenge of Madrid’s La Monumental
Alonso did not hold back after his qualifying session at Madring. La Monumental has been promoted as the defining feature of Madrid’s new Formula 1 circuit, but the two-time world champion believes the realities of energy deployment significantly reduce the driving challenge.
“Even my press officer can take La Monumental flat out because we don’t use energy at that point, in order to save it for the rest of the lap,” Fernando Alonso said.
The Spaniard’s criticism centres on the way drivers must manage electrical energy across a lap under the current regulations. Rather than simply attacking a corner as hard as possible, Alonso argues that performance can depend on deliberately limiting deployment in one section to improve the car’s energy availability elsewhere.
“In Formula 1, courage should be rewarded,” Alonso continued. “If my press officer is faster than me through that section, fine. But if I have more balls than him, then I should also be faster. That’s how Formula 1 should work.”
Alonso echoes Max Verstappen criticism of 2026 F1 cars
Alonso’s comments closely reflect concerns recently expressed by Max Verstappen. The Red Bull driver has also criticised the characteristics of the 2026 cars, arguing that energy management can force drivers to lift off, brake earlier or delay acceleration rather than simply maximising their commitment through a corner.
For Alonso, La Monumental provides a particularly visible example. Although the heavily banked Madrid corner appears spectacular from the outside, he believes the way the cars are being driven through it means that outright bravery is not necessarily rewarded.
The comments came after a disappointing qualifying session in which Fernando Alonso was unable to escape Q1 with Aston Martin. The team’s competitiveness has already become a major topic during the Madrid weekend, amid wider questions about whether its current technical package can deliver the results expected from the investment made in recent seasons.
Fernando Alonso’s F1 future remains unresolved
The timing of Alonso’s criticism is particularly significant because his Formula 1 future remains uncertain. Recent reports suggest FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem is keen to see the Spanish driver remain on the grid and has been involved in discussions surrounding ways to improve Aston Martin’s competitiveness.
Aston Martin’s broader future has also come under scrutiny, particularly around its power unit partnership. The team has already been linked with alternative options if its current situation does not improve, including the possibility that Aston Martin could reconsider a Mercedes engine supply should its difficulties with Honda continue.
Alonso has not yet made a final decision about his own future. The Spaniard is expected to clarify his plans only in November, leaving the closing stages of the 2026 season crucial not only for Aston Martin’s technical direction but potentially for whether the two-time world champion continues racing in Formula 1.
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