Fernando Alonso/Aston Martin: “This is how we’re killing the classic race tracks”

Fernando Alonso’s criticism of the latest generation of Formula 1 cars is nothing new. As early as the end of July, Aston Martin superstar Fernando Alonso was speaking like a driver seriously considering retirement. “I feel fresh, motivated and fast. But I also need to enjoy my work, and – quite honestly – driving at Silverstone and Spa wasn’t fun.”

“We should always be making our sport better, but for me behind the wheel – and for many spectators too – this is a Formula 1 that isn’t enjoyable. Lately, I haven’t felt the same adrenaline behind the wheel as I used to.”

Speaking to Madring, the 2005 and 2006 Formula 1 champion derided the World Championship as the “Battery World Championship”. “It’s in the nature of these power units that you have to recharge the battery in fast corners or at the end of straights, because that’s when it’s most efficient. But those are precisely the places that a racer enjoys, or where a good driver makes the difference. That goes against the nature of a racer, or against the instinct to push the car to its limits.”

Following qualifying at the new Madring Formula 1 circuit, the 45-year-old Asturian is disillusioned: “It’s sad that you arrive at a new, exciting circuit with really challenging corners like the Monumental – and then, with these cars, the driver’s contribution is zero.”

“Our media representative could drive the Monumental. But that’s not the motorsport I want. I want a Formula 1 in which skill and courage are rewarded. Now my speed depends solely on how much juice is left in the battery.”

Topic of the week

Spanish Grand Prix at the new Madring: track – hit or miss?

The people of Madrid had set their sights high for their city’s first Formula 1 World Championship race since 1981. But have the high expectations for the new Madring mixed-circuit track really been met?

Read More

TV Program

Today

Baku: 1. Freies Training

FIA Formula One World Championship

24.09.2026 - 10:15

“It can’t be right that just anyone is faster than Max Verstappen on a high-risk section like turns 10 to 12 here, simply because they have more battery power. On a section like that, an above-average driver should be able to make the difference. But we can’t do that at the moment.”

In Baku, the 32-time Grand Prix winner went on to say: “There’s no other racing category in the world where you have to slow down in certain sections in order to be faster at the end of the lap.”

“We race on magnificent circuits, such as Silverstone. But with these cars, it’s no longer any fun there. Fun? A classic. Now it’s almost embarrassing to drive through Eau Rouge. The 130R at Suzuka? A thing of the past. That’s how we’re killing off all the classic circuits.”

“We drivers have honed our skills over the years. Then you come into Formula 1 and have to drive completely differently. That only happens with these racing cars.”