The two-time Formula 1 world champion Fernando Alonso criticizes Formula 1 as “a bit too automated” and fears that this will not get better under the new technical regulations 2026.
On the edge of the Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2025 in Baku, Alonso said: “We have to wait and see how the cars behave next year and whether they are difficult or easy to drive. But yes, I miss the times when we had more freedom in cockpit.”
By “freedoms” Alonso means the opportunity to change parameters himself and to influence the vehicle performance directly. He explains: “In the past we were able to play a bit with the engine speeds. In certain rounds at the weekend we had the maximum performance.”
When Formula 1 experimented with hybrid systems for the first time
Alonso therefore likes to remember the Formula 1 season 2009 and the introduction of the kinetic energy recovery system (Kers) as the first hybrid component in Grand Prix sports. The entire field did not rely on Kers until years later – from 2013 before it was replaced by a new energy recovery system in 2014.
However, according to Alonso, a special spell attended this: “We were free to access the six -second hybrid performance. We didn’t always use it in the same optimal places – that was only in qualifying. In the race you played different strategies to overtake or to defend yourself against the cars behind you,” says Alonso.
The Spanish racing driver not only looks melancholic, he even confirms: “I miss these times. And I don’t know if we can get something back next year.”
How does active aerodynamics affect?
Alonso is particularly unsure about the DRS successor: How exactly the active aerodynamics with “X mode” and “Y mode” change the Formula 1 to wait. Alonso: “The car is automatically either in one or the other state, the energy is used more or less as this year.”
“So yes: I still miss a little freedom – or rather: more freedom – for the drivers.” Because from an Alonso perspective, it does not exist with the new Formula 1 regulations-but great worries, it could be “embarrassing” for the “premier class”. However, the Automobile World Association (FIA) tries to invalidate these concerns.