Alonso claims 'no driver talent needed' in latest outburst over 2026 F1 cars

Introducing a near 50:50 split between electrical energy and internal combustion, the new regulations have come under criticism for delivering what has been dubbed 'yo-yo' racing, where drivers have been able, or forced, to exchange several overtakes across one sequence due to the differing levels of electrical power available to them.

Such racing has also been labelled "artificial" and likened to something out of 'Mario Kart,' by drivers such as Lando Norris and Max Verstappen, with veteran Alonso already slamming the latest generation of F1 cars as the worst he's ever driven after the Monaco GP in June.

Offering his latest thoughts on the 2026 rules at Silverstone, where he finished P18, and where the Sprint Race yet again saw some of this 'yo-yo' racing, Alonso did not hold back. He told media: "It depends what the fans and the sport wants.

With Silverstone a particularly energy-starved circuit, the F1 circus moves to another in the shape of Spa-Francorchamps for the Belgian GP this week, with Alonso previewing a similar challenge in the Ardennes hills.

The Spaniard's discontent with the 2026 cars will no doubt tie into Aston Martin's miserable start to the season. Nine rounds in, the British team, led by legendary aerodynamicist Adrian Newey, are yet to score a point, while Alonso has been outqualified twice by teammate Lance Stroll - the last time that happened was all the way back in Silverstone in 2024.

Despite what Newey has described as a "large step" set to be made at Hungary in the form of upgrades, Alonso is said to be in the "worst moment of his career," according to former Renault teammate Giancarlo Fisichella.

Fisichella told F1's Beyond the Grid: "Honestly, Fernando is now maybe in the worst moment of his career, he’s 44, he’s fighting for the last four places, that’s not good for him. He needs to find some motivation, and the motivation comes best if you have a good car, probably in a few races they will get the ‘Spec B’ and maybe Fernando can have more fun.