Fernando Alonso has once again expressed criticism of the F1 regulations after the Italian GP. It was already predicted beforehand that the new cars – and the strong emphasis on energy management – would lead to slower lap times on the usually fast circuit. Alonso, who could do little again with his Aston Martin, stated afterwards that the nickname Temple of Speed in 2026 hardly holds any meaning anymore.
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Alonso, who did not get further than the twenty-third lap, was outspokenly critical to the press again. Not so much about his inadequate Aston Martin, but about the state of racing during the Italian Grand Prix. “It was different from what we have experienced so far at Monza,” he responded. “We come here and then in big letters it says we are entering the Temple of Speed. But it is no longer the Temple of Speed. “In Barcelona, I think we reached 350 km/h or 360 km/h, and in Budapest 355 km/h. But in Monza we drove about 312 km/h. So that nickname no longer applies.”
Tough weekend for Aston Martin
The lower top speeds are the result of the new engines and regulations for 2026. Polesitter Pierre Gasly reached just over 340 km/h with his Alpine, while in previous years speeds of up to 370 km/h were regularly reached. This did not diminish the disappointing weekend for Aston Martin. Alonso had to pull his car to the side after twenty-three laps after presumably sustaining damage from hitting the kerbstones.
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“Yes, I think my car is damaged,” he clarified. “I drove over the kerbstones in turn seven, and after that something didn’t feel right – the suspension or something. It was difficult, just like the whole weekend,” sighed Alonso, who still has to make do with one World Championship point in 2026. “We raced alongside the Cadillacs, so at least we had a bit of fun during the race. But yes, a tough weekend.” Teammate Lance Stroll also did not finish. The Canadian retired three laps after his teammate with a hydraulic problem, just before the first corner.
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