Fernando Alonso was – once again – critical of the current generation of Formula 1 cars on Friday after the first two practice sessions for the Monaco Grand Prix. The two-time world champion even called the 2026 cars the worst he has ever driven on the iconic street circuit and stated that hybrid cars do not really belong in Monaco.
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Alonso had a difficult opening day in Monte Carlo on Friday, and perhaps partly because of this, he was particularly critical of the current generation of cars afterwards. “I don’t think this is the best circuit for these cars. This is probably the worst generation of cars I have ever driven in Monaco,” said the Spaniard from Aston Martin.
Fernando Alonso mainly pointed to the complex hybrid systems, which he believes cause unpredictable behavior when braking into corners. “The way we charge the battery during braking and coasting creates inconsistency in braking. Hybrid cars shouldn’t race,” Alonso said.
Problems at Aston Martin
According to the Spaniard, the problems at Aston Martin are even more visible because the energy management of the AMR26 is not yet functioning optimally. The not-yet-optimal coordination between chassis, gearbox, and hybrid powertrain, he says, leads to a lack of confidence when turning into corners.
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“We need to improve the engine response, improve the behavior during shifting, and also the energy recovery. We have a complex system where we recover energy during braking, and that affects the gearbox and the way you approach a corner. There is a lot of work to be done.”
These statements fit into a broader criticism that Fernando Alonso has repeatedly expressed in recent months about the direction Formula 1 has taken. He previously stated that Formula 1 has lost “almost a decade or more of pure racing” due to the emphasis on hybrid technology.
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