Fernando Alonso has bluntly declared that Monza is “no longer the Temple of Speed” for Formula 1, after experiencing first-hand how the 2026 regulations have dulled the legendary Italian circuit’s high-speed character.
The Aston Martin driver pointed out that the 2026 cars are actually faster at other tracks on the calendar than they are at Monza. Data shows Alonso’s top speed was just 319 km/h, while Pierre Gasly clocked 340 km/h on his way to pole for Alpine. In previous seasons, cars regularly exceeded 350 km/h at this iconic venue.
“We arrive here and it says we’re entering the ‘Temple of Speed’. But it’s no longer the ‘Temple of Speed’,” said Alonso. “In Barcelona, I think we reached 350km/h or 360km/h, and in Budapest, 355km/h. And in Monza, we were around 312km/h. So, it’s no longer the ‘Temple of Speed’.”
His comments came after a disastrous Italian Grand Prix for Aston Martin, with both cars retiring within a few laps of each other. Alonso retired on lap 23 due to suspected car damage from a kerb strike at Turn 7.
“Yeah, I think I got damage on the car,” he told F1TV. “I went over the kerb at Turn 7, and something felt strange - suspension or something. It was difficult, same as the whole weekend. We were with the Cadillacs, so at least we had a little bit of fun in the race. But, yeah, a difficult weekend.”
Team-mate Lance Stroll made it three laps further before stopping on track just before Turn 1, triggering a virtual safety car. The Canadian was struck by a hydraulics issue.
Alonso’s criticism adds to the debate over the 2026 regulations, which some argue have reduced the spectacle at historic circuits. Despite this, Monza remains one of F1’s most iconic venues, and his words are sure to fuel further discussion about the sport’s new direction.
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