Alonso hails new-spec F1 cars, but margin for error has gone

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All McLaren miseries set apart, Fernando Alonso is thrilled by Formula 1's leaner and meaner new-spec cars, with cornering speeds 'back to where they should be'.

Drivers are giving two thumbs this year up to the wider and faster cars, with increased mechanical grip now inducing up to 8G in the fastest corners.

But the margin of error has also decreased considerably, according to Alonso, with little time to react if a bout of oversteer kicks in in the middle of a fast corner.

"When you lose the car a little bit on the rear end especially, it’s difficult to recover because you are fast on the corners," said Alonso.

"So you have half a tenth of a second to react. Last year you had four seconds - in the corner you could take a coffee in those cars!

"The cars are much more fun to drive, the cornering speed is back to what an F1 car should be,” he added.

"I think the fans will love that feeling of watching the cars from the grandstands going to that speed into the corner."

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Alonso believes F1 is going in the right direction with a proper balance between performance and show.

"On television I think they look better. I think we’re still missing the sound of F1 that was part of the DNA of the sport, but I guess that will not come any more.

"I think we’re in a good position for the sport, and I think we have good years in front of us in terms of show and in terms of excitement, driving these cars."

For all the problems the two-time world champion still needs to sort out at McLaren-Honda, Alonso says the new-spec cars are a real challenge where skill and ability can make a difference.

"Definitely I’m much more happy now,” he said after qualifying last Saturday.

"We saw even today, we see also the teams, how they split the drivers – always one experienced driver, one rookie maybe behind.

"In these kinds of circuits, narrow, bumpy, where you have to push the car, it’s not easy to get into the speed. So I think the cars are definitely tougher to drive and more difficult to drive."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.