One hot topic from the paddock during the first week of Bahrain F1 pre-season testing is how the drivers feel about the new era of Formula 1 cars, and Fernando Alonso gave his views to F1.com.
He shared his views on the new challenges awaiting drivers with the new regulations. All teams and drivers face a big challenge with battery management. Lifting and coasting to harvest will be taken to extreme measures. Corner speeds will be down as well because of it.
“Every regulation brings different challenges, and this one is no different. So you have a little bit less grip, and you have this energy management that you have to be a little bit careful on how much you spend the energy.
“In a way for the driver maybe there is a little bit less excitement because to make a fast lap you need to distribute the energy on the straights to go fast and on the corners you don’t want to waste energy but this ended up in a slow cornering speed because you don’t want to waste energy and for a driver we’re used to when we want to make a good lap time and we want to push to find the limits in the corners not the limits on the straights and that’s probably the biggest adaptation we need to make.”
Alonso on the AMR26 after Bahrain F1 testing: “We need more performance”
Alonso’s teammate, Lance Stroll, gave a scathing review of their AMR26, saying he felt as if they were “four seconds off the pace”. The Spaniard is aware plenty of work is ahead.
“Sure, I think we need more performance. We need to unlock more performance. Missing Barcelona was not ideal.
“This is the very first test for us, so we’re still going step by step into the car. So yeah, we’re a little bit on the back foot. We have to admit that, but hopefully there is time to improve.”
However, Alonso has over 20 years of F1 experience and knows how quickly things can change, which leads him to believe Aston Martin will improve before the Australian Grand Prix. It’s the engine side which is his main concern.
“I think so. I mean, on the chassis, there is no doubt. We have the best with us after 30 plus years of Adrian Newey dominating the sport, I think no one will doubt that we will find a way to have the best car eventually.
“On the power unit, we need to wait and see when we unlock all the performance, where we are, and what is missing and then work hard.”
The Silverstone-Based team welcomed Honda as their new power unit partner for the 2026 season. Honda and Newey have previously worked together at Red Bull Racing, where the pair earned four World Drivers’ Championships with Max Verstappen at the helm.
“On the power unit, we need to wait and see when we unlock all the performance, where we are, and what is missing, and then work hard.”
