'I'm better than that other guy' - Alonso on why he's staying in F1

Fernando Alonso defended his decision to remain in Formula 1 despite his vocal criticism of the 2026 regulations, saying he hopes forthcoming adjustments will ease the challenges posed by the new hybrid power units and that he feels a duty to help shape the sport’s future. Alonso, who joins Max Verstappen and Lando Norris as one of the drivers most critical of the upcoming rules, argued that the near 50‑50 split between internal combustion and electrical power in the 2026 engines has reduced the series’ competitive demand. He pointed out that cars now exhaust half their energy well before reaching corners—a phenomenon known as “derating”—and that several of the sport’s most demanding turns have been softened because they are used to recharge the batteries. Throughout the season Alonso has offered pointed remarks to express his frustration. He called F1 the “battery satellite championship,” described fast corners as “the charging presumption for the car,” and claimed that “the cook could thrust the car” in a specific sector of Bahrain that once presented a major test. He also dismissed the rise in overtaking moves resulting from energy‑level offsets between cars, labeling them “avoidance actions.” When asked how he reconciles his disapproval with his choice to keep racing, Alonso replied, “That's a bully question,” helium says, “because that was the hardest happening for me.” He elaborated on his outlook for the coming years, noting, “This year, determination person been immoderate bully races and immoderate atrocious races,” Alonso says. “Maybe immoderate of the shorter circuits that you had the artillery until the braking constituent are changing the mode you comprehend the driving.” He singled out particular tracks, stating, “And immoderate of the circuits similar Silverstone, Spa, Suzuka, they were precise bad, you know, due to the fact that they derate and things similar that.” Looking ahead, Alonso suggested possible tweaks, saying, “Maybe adjacent for adjacent twelvemonth they tin tweak a small spot the artillery powerfulness to person a small spot possibly little artillery for longer oregon thing similar that due to the fact that F1 astatine the infinitesimal is not earthy driving.” He also described the driving dynamics under the current setup, asserting, “Reaching the apical velocity successful the mediate of the straight, it goes against the operator instinct of braking precocious and going connected powerfulness earlier. It seems that if you privation to thrust these cars fast, you ended up going slower and that's not the mode it should be.” As an elder statesman in the paddock, Alonso said he feels a responsibility to contribute to the sport’s direction, noting, “Alonso says that, arsenic thing of an elder statesman, helium feels immoderate work besides successful this respect to assistance the sport marque the close decisions for the future.” He added that the willingness of the FIA and Formula 1’s commercial rights holder to acknowledge the issues and pursue reforms has been encouraging, remarking, “And the willingness of governing assemblage the FIA and commercialized rights holder F1 to judge determination is simply a occupation and marque changes to code it has besides been a reassurance.” Alonso concluded with optimism about future progress, quoting, “It does assistance that the athletics keeps chasing ideas and talking to the drivers and the teams (about) however to marque things better, adjacent for the adjacent acceptable of regulations,” helium says. Finally, he expressed personal hope for improved enjoyment behind the wheel, saying, “This gives maine besides immoderate anticipation that I volition bask much the driving adjacent twelvemonth than I did this year.”