Fernando Alonso once again finished last at Spa and was the only driver to be lapped twice. The Asturian ended more than 70 seconds behind the second-to-last, Bottas’ Cadillac, with the only consolation that Belgium should be the last torture before the upgrades arrive. However, Alonso warns: his retirement does not depend on that.
The Spanish driver will weigh this summer whether to retire from Formula 1 or continue competing. But he will not do it based on the performance of his new Aston Martin. The key will lie in a technical regulation that this weekend hit rock bottom at Spa-Francorchamps after another farcical display at Silverstone fifteen days ago.
The Electric Formula 1 Hits Rock Bottom in Spa
Seven days from now the Hungarian Grand Prix will have finished and Formula 1 will officially be on break. A pause that is going to be more significant than it seems in Spain: Fernando Alonso will use it to decide whether to retire from Formula 1 or to continue racing. And he leaves a clear premise: it does not depend on his car’s performance.
“My decision does not depend on this year’s performance. This season started off on the wrong foot and I can’t base my decision for next year on a performance that isn’t realistic. I believe this isn’t the team’s true potential. It is far greater than what we are seeing”, Alonso explained after leaving Spa-Francorchamps.
Alonso is clear about where to focus his future: “My decision has to do with the regulations, driving these cars on tracks like Spa or previously at Silverstone is not what I dream of for the future.” And what Formula 1 experienced during the Belgian Grand Prix was as sad as expected.
Los nuevo Fórmula 1 mitad eléctricos y mitad combustión se quedaban sin batería ya en la recta de Kemmel, pasando Eau Rouge. En curvas míticas como Blanchimont, tradicionalmente a fondo, había pilotos que incluso reducían una marcha porque el coche se quedaba sin energía y necesitaban recargar la batería.
Broadcast production tried to hide the reality by avoiding onboard cameras and any live-speed graphics, but at this point in the season the evidence speaks for itself: they have loaded Formula 1 with an electric regulation that prevents the cars from racing on the calendar’s best circuits.
Will the patches planned for 2027 be enough to keep drivers like Fernando Alonso or Max Verstappen from leaving Formula 1 in disgust?
Images | Aston Martin
