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Fernando Alonso Keeps Fighting Rules He Dislikes and Ties His Future to Changes

From La Nación · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Ongoing story
  • Fernando Alonso said his decision on whether to continue with Aston Martin depends more on Formula 1's regulations than on the team's car.
  • Alonso criticized the current hybrid-engine rules, while simulations suggest the new energy-recovery system could slow qualifying times at Monza.
  • The 45-year-old driver has not renewed his contract, although reports suggest an agreement may be imminent, and he hopes to influence future regulations.

Fernando Alonso is not ready to accept Formula 1 as it is, even as Aston Martin's progress offers him a reason to continue. At Monza, the two-time world champion made clear that his uncertainty concerns the category's rules more than the car he drives.

“My decision is not about the car, I will drive and work one hundred percent, even if I fight for 15th place. The decision is more about the rules, this is not the F1 we want. Neither the drivers nor the spectators. Some things have to change and I hope I can contribute so that with the next rules we return to real F1,” Alonso said.

The concern is especially visible at Monza, the circuit known as the Temple of Speed. Max Verstappen set Formula 1's fastest average qualifying lap there last year, at 264.682 kph, and won the fastest race in the championship at an average speed of 250.706 kph. Those marks will be difficult to beat this weekend, with the new regulations limiting performance, according to the article.

My decision is not about the car, I will drive and work one hundred percent, even if I fight for 15th place. The decision is more about the rules, this is not the F1 we want. Neither the drivers nor the spectators. Some things have to change and I hope I can contribute so that with the next rules we return to real F1.

· Fernando AlonsoAlonso explained at Monza why Formula 1's regulations, rather than Aston Martin's car, will shape his decision about continuing.

The issue lies partly in the new engines' energy-recovery system, which operates while a driver is at full throttle. Simulations reportedly point to a worrying scenario and a possible five-second loss in pole position time. Verstappen and Alonso are the two drivers most openly dissatisfied with the engine regulations.

A return to V8 engines may not come until 2031. FIA president Mohammed ben Sulayem has cited lower costs and greater reliability as reasons to bring back the engines replaced 13 years ago by turbo-hybrid V6s. Alonso, who won at Monza with Ferrari in 2010 and Mercedes in 2007, has previously argued for removing the electric component. At 45, he remains Formula 1's oldest current driver and has not yet renewed with Aston Martin, though reports suggest an announcement could be close.

I would simply remove the electric part, which is a semi-useless technology for competition. Formula E already exists and is optimizing it: F1 does not need to go down that path.

· Fernando AlonsoAlonso previously criticized the electric component of Formula 1's hybrid power units.
About this summary

Originally published by La Nación in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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