Fernando Alonso hopes Aston Martin team-mate Lance Stroll will enjoy the upcoming 2026 Formula 1 regulations reset amid his initial apprehension about the new cars.
Next year will see F1 completely revamp the formula with lighter, nimble cars, a 50-50 hybrid power unit, and other additions such as active aero and narrower profiled Pirelli tires.
And while the sport has claimed that these changes will lead to closer racing and a tighter pack, many drivers have raised concerns about driveability and overall performance.
Stroll is no different. The Aston Martin driver revealed that his first impressions of the 2026 cars on the simulator have left him concerned about driving at fast, flowing circuits.
“For us drivers, for sure, I think these kinds of tracks, Spa, Suzuka, you know, high speed, less downforce, it’s not going to be as exciting as what it is now,” he had told media including Motorsport Week.
“That’s just a fact until maybe a couple of years into the regs or whatever, I don’t know.
“But, it’s going to be a hit in downforce, and we’re going to be sliding around more than what we are now.”
What does Alonso think about the 2026 cars?
Alonso also revealed that he had gotten an opportunity to test the 2026 car on the simulator for the Silverstone-based team.
The two-time World Champion concurred with his team-mate about the lack of downforce compared to the ground effects car, but erred on the side of caution.
“I only did one day in the simulator, and it was difficult to really take any conclusions of that,” he asserted.
The 44-year-old said that he will make up his mind only after testing the real car out on the track, but hopes that the result will change his team-mate’s mind.
“So, I will wait a little bit longer, or maybe even to test a real car, because sometimes in the simulator, you have a feeling, and then on the real car you have a different one,” he continued.
“Yeah, it’s less performance than this year. Every time a racing driver tests something that is slower, [they] will never like [it].
“But then we go in a rental car, with 12 horsepower, and we love it [laughs]. When we are all together, you know, and you fight and you win the race and it’s like you win the championship.
“So yeah, if next year you are fast, we will love the cars. And hopefully Lance can enjoy next year. That will be good news.”
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