Fernando Alonso has once again made headlines, this time with a scathing critique of modern Formula 1, declaring that "it cannot continue this way." The two-time champion's outburst comes amid ongoing uncertainty over his future with Aston Martin.
Alonso, whose contract expires at the end of the season, had initially planned to decide during the summer break. However, he now seems content to keep everyone guessing. His stance prompted an unusual intervention from FIA president Mohammed ben Sulayem.
Speaking at an economic forum in Madrid, Ben Sulayem surprisingly said that F1 cannot afford to lose Alonso. "There is no way we can allow Fernando Alonso, a great champion, to leave just because of the circumstances. That's not the way to leave the stage. He has to be successful and then he leaves whenever he wants, not because he was forced to leave with the performance," he stated. Ben Sulayem even admitted to asking Alonso directly what it would take to keep him in the sport and improve Aston Martin's results.
Aston Martin have not been idle. They recently introduced a significant aerodynamic upgrade package, and Honda brought an updated power unit. But the results remain disappointing. In Madrid, both Alonso and Lance Stroll were eliminated in Q1 – the 101st time Stroll has failed to escape the first qualifying segment.
Alonso's frustration goes beyond results; it's about the nature of modern racing. He highlighted Turns 10-12 at the Madrid circuit, claiming they no longer reward driver bravery. "It is sad, in a way, with this generation of cars to come to a very nice circuit like this one, with challenges here and there, like La Monumental corner, 10-12, and the driver input is just nothing," he lamented. "Michael [Clayton, Aston Martin press officer] can drive in 10-12. You go flat with no [MGU-]K deployment, and then at one point, the 'K' comes and then you go fast on the exits. But Formula 1 or motorsport in general should be in 10-12. If Michael is braver than me, he goes faster. If I have more attributes, I will go faster than him. That's how he should be qualifying. And now it's just how much sock I have; I will go faster or slower."
Alonso also revealed that he regularly speaks with F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali. "I have a lot of things to go through already, to try to make my mind for next year. I did speak with him, but I speak with Stefano regularly every week because Formula 1 cannot continue in this way. We cannot wait for 2031 to have a proper sport. So, I think it's also my responsibility to help them with my experience to do whatever we can do to do these kinds of things," he said.
He further emphasised that speed at Turns 10-12 should be determined by driver skill, not battery power. "Turns 10-12, whoever is faster there, it's OK – but it cannot be. I don't want to pick a name, it cannot be Michael faster than Max Verstappen if he has more battery, because 10-12 is such an incredible corner that it has to be Max Verstappen making the difference compared to Michael, and at the moment, we can't," he concluded.
Alonso's critique highlights a broader debate about the direction of F1 regulations. With cars increasingly reliant on electrical energy and complex aerodynamics, is driver skill still the main differentiator? Alonso, who has raced across multiple eras, longs for the days when bravery and pure skill mattered more. His future in F1 remains uncertain, and his comments may signal that he wants significant changes before committing to stay.
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