Alonso: Modern F1 Cars a 'Step Backwards' in Driving Fun Despite Tech Gains

Fernando Alonso believes Formula 1 has made significant strides in safety, technology, and entertainment over his 23-year career, but he feels the raw driving experience has suffered. The two-time world champion argues that advancements have led to heavier, less agile cars, making them less "fun" to drive compared to the machines from his early years.

Why it matters:

Alonso's perspective, from a driver who has competed across four different decades, highlights a fundamental tension in modern F1. His comments tap into a recurring fan and driver debate about whether the pursuit of technological perfection and safety has come at the cost of the raw, challenging driving experience that defined previous eras of the sport.

The details:

• The Good: Alonso praises F1's evolution, citing massive improvements in safety, the show's presentation, and technology. He's particularly impressed with modern power units, which are over 60% more fuel-efficient than 20 years ago while delivering equal or greater performance.
• The Bad: The core of his critique is the "fun behind the steering wheel." He attributes this decline to cars that have become longer and heavier due to safety structures and complex technology, making them feel less sharp and responsive.
• A Step Forward? The upcoming 2026 regulations, which will make cars 20cm shorter, 10cm narrower, and 30kg lighter, are seen by Alonso as a move in the right direction, though he notes they will still be vastly different from the agile cars of the early 2000s.

Looking Ahead:

Despite his critique, Alonso's passion for racing remains undimmed, and he ultimately reaffirms Formula 1's status as the pinnacle of motorsport. His comments serve as a reminder that even at the highest level of competition, the visceral connection between driver and machine remains a crucial part of the sport's identity and appeal.