Fernando Alonso says Formula 1 has reached a point where drivers must slow down to become faster. The Aston Martin driver believes the current rules have damaged the character of famous circuits. He wants less electrical power from the battery so the cars can be driven more naturally.
His criticism goes beyond performance. The current cars force drivers to calculate their energy use before almost every corner. Engineering decisions and simulations shape how they manage that energy, leaving less room for instinct and risk, or for learning a car's limits from one lap to the next. In the 2026 power unit, MGU-K output has increased to 350 kW, MGU-H has been removed, and the maximum energy deployment per lap is limited to 8.5 MJ.
The sharpest part of his argument concerns the tracks themselves.
Alonso singled out Silverstone, saying it is no longer as enjoyable as it once was. He described the passage through Eau Rouge at Spa as almost embarrassing and made the same point about the 130R at Suzuka. In his view, this year's rules have taken away some of the challenge from the corners that define the sport.
His proposed fix is specific: reduce the battery's maximum output and let drivers use that energy over a longer period. The hybrid system would remain, but the balance between electrical deployment and conventional driving would change. Alonso raised the idea during Media Day for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, in comments reported by Motorsport.com.
The 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix is running to a revised schedule. Media Day took place on Wednesday, with practice scheduled for Thursday; qualifying is set for Friday and the race for Saturday. Local authorities requested the change.
The argument also helps explain why Alonso has not confirmed his plans for 2027. He has already said at Madring that his decision will depend heavily on how the rules are updated for next season. The amount of electrical power in the cars is no minor technical detail for him; it affects whether Formula 1 still offers the kind of driving challenge he values. PlanetF1 reported that FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has previously discussed Alonso's concerns and the direction of the rules with him.
Aston Martin's immediate prospects offer little comfort. The team has brought a major update to the AMR26 and reduced its weight. Alonso still expects Baku to be another difficult weekend because of Aston Martin's large power deficit and Honda's disappointing engine. He said scoring points and getting beyond Q1 could be difficult.
Baku brings a separate safety concern. On the long straight, cars can reportedly travel at around 200 km/h before the battery is deployed, then reach 350 km/h. Alonso warned that teams must manage this speed difference safely, especially when some cars remain slow until their electrical power arrives.
There is still no new information about his future. Alonso says he remains in regular discussions with Domenicali, the F1 chief executive, and Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the head of the FIA, about improving the championship. He has also made clear that he will continue with Aston Martin if he stays in Formula 1. He is keeping open the possibility of racing in other categories.
Alonso's position links the technical rules to the value of the racing itself. He says Aston Martin's power deficit in Baku is only part of the problem: energy management has changed how drivers approach the sport's hardest corners. Motorsport.com describes the wider shift as a move toward battery management instead of flat-out racing. Autosport reports that possible changes could shift the power balance toward a 58 to 42 split in favour of the internal-combustion engine in 2027 and 60 to 40 in 2028.
The FIA has already published the 2026 Formula 1 regulations, so the technical structure is in place. At the F1 Commission meeting on 21 September 2026, officials agreed only minor changes to the 2026 sporting and financial regulations. Debate about the balance between electrical deployment and engine power now centres on possible updates for the following seasons.
