Fernando Alonso comments on the new technical rules for the 2026 Formula 1 season and expresses concerns about overtaking opportunities
New technical regulations will be introduced in Formula 1 for the upcoming 2026 season. The key change is the abolition of the adjustable rear wing known as the Drag Reduction System (DRS). Instead, two new systems will be introduced: firstly, the override system, which provides more battery power, and secondly, active aerodynamics.
Fernando Alonso, whose first season as a regular Formula 1 driver will be 25 years ago by the time the upcoming rule change takes effect, currently has doubts as to whether the changes will really achieve their goal of ensuring more overtaking maneuvers and thus more exciting races.
When asked whether the 2026 cars will be fundamentally different from the cars he has driven in his Formula 1 career so far, Alonso replies: “I don’t think so. I think that ultimately, the car and the sport will remain basically the same. It will still be a race against time and a race against your competitors.”
“I don’t think it will be due to a difference in car performance,” said Alonso. “Maybe a little less grip, because the downforce will be lower due to the rules. The only question I have is about overtaking opportunities. In my opinion, that’s still an open question.”
The two-time Formula 1 world champion’s concern is: “If you read the rules and drive in the simulator, everyone is allowed to use DRS on the straights, both the car in front and the car behind. So there’s no real way to make a difference.”
“Unless,” Alonso continues, “you use a lot of energy on that straight. But if you use that energy, you pay the price on the following straight. Maybe you’ll be overtaken again by the car you just passed.“
When asked whether this might require clever driving, Alonso adds: ”Or you don’t even try to overtake if you lose time on the next straight because you get overtaken yourself. So it could be that there’s no incentive to overtake because both would lose time.”
“But,” continues the 2005 and 2006 world champion, “that’s just a first thought. I think as long as the cars aren’t on the track and we don’t really see how much energy you have to expend per overtaking maneuver, it’s difficult to predict.”
“And I think the most important thing will be the tires. If we have a race with three or four pit stops, then because of the difference in tire performance, for example against someone with only one pit stop, you don’t need energy or DRS. You just overtake immediately in the lap after the pit stop.”
“So I think tires will be the main issue in improving overtaking. If they wear out and require multiple pit stops. That’s probably what we as spectators want in terms of the show,” said Alonso.
