Fernando Alonso is upset: he claims that the 2026 F1 cars are the "worst ever" and insists that they "should not be racing."

      Alessio Morgese via Getty

      The most important car news and reviews, without the fluff

      Subscribe to our free daily newsletter to receive the most significant stories directly to your inbox every weekday.

      Fernando Alonso is expressing his frustration with the current Formula 1 regulations. After Practice 1 in Monaco on Thursday, the two-time world champion made several strong comments regarding his situation:

      “This is arguably the worst generation of cars I've driven in Monaco,” said Alonso, according to Motorsport.com.

      Alonso’s main concern revolves around the way energy is recovered to recharge the hybrid system’s battery, which has sparked considerable debate as it requires drivers to ease off the throttle in corners instead of maintaining speed or driving aggressively. This issue became particularly evident during the Japanese Grand Prix, where drivers had to adjust their driving styles to harvest energy, even at high-speed corners in Suzuka.

      With Monaco's track layout being quite different, it was initially thought that this wouldn't be a significant factor this weekend; however, Alonso disagrees:

      “The method of charging the battery, involving braking and lifting off, creates a lot of inconsistency with the car's engine braking,” he explained. “Sometimes you have less power, sometimes you have more, and occasionally none at all. If the battery is fully charged, you can't recharge it, which means you lose engine braking. It feels like you're just pushing.

      “It’s simply the rules. Hybrid cars shouldn’t be racing. It’s as straightforward as that,” Alonso stated.

      Compounding the issue is Aston Martin's performance in Monaco. Alonso finished FP1 in 20th place, ahead of Valtteri Bottas' Cadillac and his teammate Lance Stroll, who came in last. The regulations, which impact all teams, combined with the team's lack of speed, are likely adding to the Spaniard's growing frustration with the situation.

      On a positive note, Stroll achieved a 15th place finish in Canada, which is the team's best result of this year. If they are, in fact, making incremental improvements to their package, then hopefully Monaco can represent further positive strides forward.

      Have a tip? Email us at tips@thedrive.com