The new Formula 1, with engines split almost evenly between electricity and combustion, continues to fail to convince many. Almost no one. The latest to speak out has been Fernando Alonso, one of the system’s most critical voices. The Asturian, in an interview with GPblog, has turned the spotlight on another group affected by these changes: the circuits.
For Fernando Alonso, another problem with the new Formula 1 is that it is wrecking the classic circuits. At 45, he claims that he has never enjoyed driving on legendary tracks as little as now on Silverstone or Suzuka. Spa-Francorchamps, he places on a different level. For Alonso, that was “almost shameful.”
Alonso believes that circuits like Silverstone or Suzuka are now worse than ever
2026 was the year of Formula 1’s great technical revolution, but not for the better. The rise in electrification and keeping a tiny battery to handle the workload demanded resulted in cars that had to take it easy through the fast corners in order to be fast on the straights, where they still sometimes lose speed if pushed too far.
The veterans agree that this situation has broken Formula 1. And none is more veteran than Fernando Alonso. The Spanish driver, 45, asserts that “the new regulations have wrecked legendary circuits,” and explains the reason for his reasoning: “There is no other category where you have to go slow to go fast”.
Alonso says that “Silverstone is an incredible circuit, but it’s no longer fun. And at Suzuka, the 130R…” he bites his tongue before continuing. For what he does have words for is to describe what happened in Belgium: “In Spa-Francorchamps it was almost embarrassing what I felt passing Eau Rouge”. It is one of the championship’s most famous corners.
Nevertheless, Formula 1’s problems have not deterred Fernando Alonso, who has just renewed his contract with Aston Martin and will race one more season, in 2027, with an option for a second. In fact, Alonso himself said he did not think 2027 would be his last season in Formula 1.
The sport itself has tacitly accepted the failure of its new regulation. They have already announced a radical change to the engines for 2030. They will return to V8s, and virtually without electrification, beyond a small KERS. The problem is the four and a half years of torment still ahead until that date.
We’ll see if by then Fernando Alonso is still in Formula 1. Given what has happened, it doesn’t seem sensible to bet against him.
Images | Formula 1, Aston Martin
