Alonso ponders F1 future, rues great tracks 'killed by 2026 rules'

Fernando Alonso has made one thing increasingly clear as the clock ticks towards 2027: Aston Martin’s lack of competitiveness is not, by itself, what will determine whether he remains in Formula 1.

The two-time world champion is expected to continue with Aston Martin next season, but his repeated criticism of the 2026 regulations has kept a question mark hanging over his longer-term commitment.

And after a season in which drivers have often been forced to manage energy rather than attack corners, Alonso’s concern appears to extend well beyond the fortunes of his own team.

For the veteran Spaniard, the more fundamental issue is whether Formula 1 can produce the kind of racing that originally made him want to compete in it.

“We are less competitive than the grid, yes. But I don't think that's the critical point for me to make a decision,” Alonso said in Baku when asked to clarify his talks with F1 and the FIA.

“Next year, there is a change already with the 60-40 ratio and that will improve things. But maybe there are more things that we need to think about to keep improving things. That's the way I see it.

“As I said in Madrid, that's part of my responsibility as well. I drove long enough here. And I think we all come from junior formulas, from karting, Formula 3, Formula 2, that we drive within this driver's instinct to go fast; attacking the corners and taking some risks.

“And then you get to Formula 1 and you need to rewind a little bit what you learned in the last 20 years of your career. And then you need to drive a different method. That is only happening in Formula 1.

“There is no other series in motorsport where you need to drive slow to go fast. This year has been some good races and bad races. And I think we need to learn from those.”

Alonso wants more than the 2027 changes

Formula 1 has already acknowledged that the current rules need refining. From 2027, the planned move towards a 60-40 balance between combustion and electric power, together with increased fuel flow, is intended to reduce the extreme energy management currently required and give drivers greater freedom to push.

For Alonso, however, that is a starting point rather than a finished solution.

His strongest criticism has centred on some of the sport’s most celebrated high-speed corners, where the demands of the current power-unit formula can force drivers to compromise their speed in order to manage energy.

“We had Silverstone, an incredible circuit. It's not fun anymore. We had Spa, that was semi-embarrassing to go through. Eau Rouge, Suzuka, the 130R. There were some circuits that were killed this year,” he candidly explained.

“So, I think with the lessons from this year there is still maybe some scope to learn from those. And have a better sport next year. And that's my conversation that is ongoing with Stefano [Domenicali, F1 CEO], Mohammed or the teams in general.”

That ongoing dialogue puts Alonso’s future in a rather different light.

His frustration is not simply about being handed an Aston Martin that has struggled to match the field; it is about whether the championship itself is heading in a direction he still wants to experience from behind the wheel.

Domenicali’s optimism meets Alonso’s reservations

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has repeatedly described the 2026 season in glowing terms, creating an obvious contrast with Alonso’s increasingly forthright assessment of the driving experience.

Yet Alonso was careful to distinguish between the spectacle surrounding Formula 1 and what it feels like to compete in the cars themselves.

“I tend to agree on the sport in general. We are in the best place we have ever been,” he said. “Formula 1 is growing a lot. New fans come in. Races sometimes are fun to watch. All these kinds of things.

“I think the events are great. If I look at the Miami Grand Prix. That's amazing. I always bring my family to Miami. I would love to go to Miami as a VIP as a spectator.

“Maybe behind the wheel, especially if you drive all the series or if you knew a different Formula 1, probably there is a little bit of frustration.

“That [frustration] we are communicating with the sport. Maybe I'm more direct and clear in my comments. Max [Verstappen] as well. And some drivers and some others are a little bit quiet. But I think we all feel the same.”

That distinction may ultimately prove crucial to Alonso’s decision.

• Read also: Cardile promises Aston Martin a ‘completely new car’ for 2027

Aston Martin’s fortunes can change with a competitive car, particularly with Adrian Newey now steering the team’s technical direction. But Alonso is making clear that even a faster Aston Martin will not automatically resolve the question in his mind.

The bigger question is whether Formula 1’s next regulatory evolution can restore the instinctive, aggressive style of driving he believes should define the championship.

For Alonso, then, 2027 is shaping up as more than another season with Aston Martin. It could become a referendum on whether the sport he wants to race in still resembles the one he believes F1 should be.

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