Two-time Formula 1 champion Fernando Alonso has discussed the 2026 regulations, revealing his concerns about overtaking opportunities.
2026 will see the introduction of a new wave of regulations to the championship. As part of the changes, the Drag Reduction System will be removed and replaced with two new systems – the Manual Override system, which allows a chasing car to have more battery power, and active aerodynamics.
“I don’t think so,” the Aston Martin driver said when asked if the 2026 car will be a different world compared to the other cars he has driven throughout his career. “I think at the end of the day, the car remains, you know, the sport remains basically the same. A race against time and the race against your competitors.
“I don’t think it will be because of different performance in the car, maybe a little bit less grip because the regulations and the downforce will be lower. The only question I have in my mind is just the overtaking possibilities. That, in my mind, is still an open point.
“I think driving at the simulator and by reading the rules, everyone is allowed to open the DRS on the straights, the car in front and the car behind. So, there is not really a possibility to make the difference unless you use a lot of energy on that straight. But if you use that energy, you will pay the price on the following straights. So, maybe you get re-overtaken by the car that you just overtook.”
When asked to clarify if it could require clever driving, Alonso added: “Or not attempting the overtake manoeuvre if you will lose time being overtaken on the next straight.
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Photo by: James Sutton / LAT Images via Getty Images
“So, maybe there is not an incentive to really make the pass because you will both lose time. But that’s a first idea. I think until the cars hit the track and we see really how much energy you need to spend per overtake and things like that, it’s difficult to guess.
“And I think the biggest thing is the tyres. When we have a three or four-stop race, the difference in tyre performance when you make a stop or whatever, you don’t need any energy or you don’t need any DRS. You make the pass immediately in the out-lap.
“So, I think the tyres will be the main topic to improve overtaking. If they are degrading and if they are providing multiple stops. So, that’s probably the thing that we wish as a spectator or as a show factor.”
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