Fernando Alonso unleashed a blistering assessment of Formula 1’s 2026 technical regulations following Friday practice at the Monaco Grand Prix, declaring the current generation of hybrid-powered machinery the “worst generation of cars I ever drove in Monaco.” The two-time world champion’s harsh criticism comes as he continues to struggle with the sport’s energy management requirements that have fundamentally altered driving characteristics since the hybrid era began.
The Aston Martin driver explained how the complex battery charging systems create significant inconsistencies that particularly impact engine braking performance. “The way you charge the battery, with the braking and lifting off and things like that, obviously creates a lot of inconsistency into the engine braking of the car,” Alonso said. “Sometimes you have less, sometimes you have push and sometimes not. If the battery is completely full, then you don’t recharge because the battery is full. So you don’t have engine braking. It’s like pushing.”
Alonso’s frustration reached a boiling point as he delivered an uncompromising verdict on the hybrid formula itself: “Hybrid cars should not be racing. It’s as simple as that.” The Spanish veteran has been one of the most vocal critics of the 2026 regulations since first testing Aston Martin’s latest car, particularly lamenting how energy management requirements have reduced the challenge of high-speed corners as drivers are forced to lift and coast.
The 43-year-old’s criticism gained additional context when he suffered a crash during Free Practice 1 at Monaco, losing control on the approach to the chicane and making contact with the barriers. Alonso has repeatedly complained about “random downshifts” plaguing the AMR26, with the incident serving as another example of the unpredictable behavior he attributes to the hybrid power units. Despite Monaco being one circuit where energy saving is typically unnecessary, Alonso emphasized that drivers still face significant management constraints that compromise the racing experience.