Fernando Alonso has explained one aspect of Formula 1‘s 2026 rules reset that he is currently sceptical of, with the new season now just months away.
F1 will go into a new era in 2026 with a vast array of changes brought about by the brand-new technical regulations.
With V6s now an equally shared hybrid, as well as aerodynamic alterations and DRS also being scrapped, the differences will see an adaptation in driving styles, necessary to make a success on track.
Alex Albon, after an early run in the Williams simulator, concluded that drivers who “abuse the system” will be the ones who will be the real winners.
This will come down to the constant energy conservation through the battery in the power unit, which will most likely see changes in how drivers will conduct overtaking opportunities.
When asked if the ’26 cars will be a vastly different beast to what he has been used to in his career, Alonso disagreed.
“I don’t think so,” he told media including Motorsport Week.
“I think at the end of the day, the car remains, you know, the sport remains basically the same. A race against time and the race against your competitors.
“I don’t think it will be because of different performance in the car, maybe a little bit less grip because the regulations and the downforce will be lower.”
But the Spaniard remained concerned about how overtaking will be performed due to using additional power, which may leave the overtaker vulnerable to the overtaken on the next fast part of the circuit.
“The only question I have in my mind is just the overtaking possibilities. That, in my mind, is still an open point,” he said.
“I think driving at the simulator and by reading the rules, everyone is allowed to open the DRS [sic. ‘Z’ and ‘X’ overtake modes] on the straights, the car in front and the car behind.
“So, there is not really a possibility to make the difference unless you use a lot of energy on that straight.
“But if you use that energy, you will pay the price on the following straights. So, maybe you get re-overtaken by the car that you just overtook.”
Alonso believes tyres may prove crucial to overtaking improvements in F1 2026
When asked if it meant needing to be intelligent to make the overtake stick, Alonso replied: “Or not attempting the overtake manoeuvre if you will lose time being overtaken on the next straight.
“So, maybe there is not an incentive to really make the pass because you will both lose time. But that’s a first idea.
“I think until the cars hit the track and we see really how much energy you need to spend per overtake and things like that, it’s difficult to guess.
“And I think the biggest thing is the tyres. When we have a three or four-stop race, the difference in tyre performance when you make a stop or whatever, you don’t need any energy or you don’t need any DRS. You make the pass immediately in the out-lap.
“So, I think the tyres will be the main topic to improve overtaking. If they are degrading and if they are providing multiple stops. So, that’s probably the thing that we wish as a spectator or as a show factor.”
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