Fernando Alonso has joined Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen in expressing concerns over how the 2026 Formula 1 regulations could dramatically change the Silverstone experience. According to the Aston Martin driver, the legendary Becketts section may effectively become a battery charging zone, robbing one of the sport’s greatest circuits of much of its appeal.
A very different Silverstone under the new regulations
“In the drivers’ chat, we’re all talking about how much power we’re going to be missing at this circuit because there are so few corners where we can recharge the battery.”
Lewis Hamilton’s comments during Thursday’s press conference reinforced concerns that have been raised for months. Although Formula 1 introduced regulatory adjustments earlier this year to mitigate the issue, the problem has largely remained in the background. However, some of the calendar’s most iconic venues—including Silverstone, Spa-Francorchamps and Monza—could expose the limitations of the new generation of power units.
The build-up to the British Grand Prix has therefore been dominated by criticism from several drivers. Circuits that once delivered flat-out, high-speed excitement may no longer provide the same experience under the 2026 regulations.
Max Verstappen had already warned that drivers could end up “cruising” through sections that were once among the fastest in Formula 1. Fernando Alonso has now echoed those concerns, suggesting that Silverstone’s famous sequence through Copse and Becketts risks losing much of its legendary character.
Alonso’s verdict
“Becketts will become a charging station,” Alonso said bluntly during Silverstone’s media day.
“I think this year it will feel very different and quite sad to drive. Looking at the simulator laps, the cars are going to be rather disappointing. I think that’s true for the drivers, but also for the spectators.”
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