Fernando Alonso hints that one F1 driver may struggle to deal with the 2026 rule changes

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Fernando Alonso doesn’t sound particularly enthused by Formula 1’s new regulations. At 44, he’s comfortably the oldest driver on the grid.

Alonso has started a record 425 Grands Prix since he made his debut in 2001. This could be his final year in the sport, with his Aston Martin contract due to expire at the end of the season.

Even though he’s only had one day in the car, Alonso is already ‘annoyed’ by the new energy management routines. Looking after the battery will be critical to success this year given that it now accounts for nearly 50% of the car’s power output.

Prove me wrong: The end of the 2026 F1 season is the perfect time for Fernando Alonso to retire 👋

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The two-time world champion is also concerned that active aerodynamics will affect the spectacle.

“I already had doubts after doing some laps in the simulator, and I still have the same doubts,” Alonso told AS. “I think overtaking is going to be more difficult this year because everyone has DRS on the straights; the car behind has the same DRS as the one in front.

“And the only thing you have is a little more energy, but you don’t have the freedom to use it however and wherever you want. It’s still dictated by the FIA, and that limits the battles and the driver’s freedom. It’s over-regulated.”

Fernando Alonso wouldn’t want to be a rookie like Arvid Lindblad in 2026

In the same interview, Alonso was asked whether experience would be an asset in adapting to the new rules. The cognitive demands on the drivers are expected to be higher than ever.

Alonso, who believes his fitness levels are still elite, has already dealt with several major regulation changes. With that comes a crucial adaptability.

While there was an influx of young talent this year, the 2026 grid only features one rookie – Racing Bulls driver Arvid Lindblad. 18-year-old Lindblad wasn’t even born when Alonso won his second world championship.

“Because it’s over-regulated, there would be more differences if there were more freedom,” Alonso explained. “But [experience] always helps.

“If this were tennis or athletics, I’d rather be 25 than 40. But in motorsports, if you’re physically fit, I prefer 40 to 25.

“I’ve raced on every circuit, I know many different sets of regulations, and with the energy changes that are coming, I’d rather be in my position than be a rookie this year.”

Where does Arvid Lindblad rank among F1’s youngest drivers?

Lindblad will be exactly 18 years and seven months old when he lines up on the Australian Grand Prix grid in March.

That will rank Lindblad just outside the top three in F1’s youngest drivers leaderboard. Max Verstappen, the only 17-year-old who has ever raced in the sport, leads the way ahead of Lance Stroll and Kimi Antonelli.

Lindblad spun during Racing Bulls’ shakedown at Imola but performed solidly in the first pre-season test last month.

Indeed, Martin Brundle is hearing ‘impressive’ things about Lindblad, who skips Formula 2 entirely after finishing sixth in F3 last year.