Nigel Mansell has found one F1 driver absolutely ‘heartbreaking’ to watch this year

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F1 world champion Nigel Mansell has revealed that he has found one struggling Formula 1 driver absolutely “heartbreaking” to watch this year through no fault of his own.

Formula 1’s overhaul of the sport’s technical regulations this year has seen a completely new-look pecking order. Gone are the days of McLaren and Red Bull’s fight for the top step of the podium, with Mercedes being ushered in as the heir-apparents.

The same has happened in the bottom half of the F1 standings, too. Aston Martin and Williams have both been caught out by the new regulations, and their drivers have suffered.

If Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso were in equal machinery for their entire F1 careers, who would have been better?

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In particular, 44-year-old Fernando Alonso has arguably been handed the biggest disappointment out of everyone on the grid this year.

With Aston Martin heading into 2026 with mightily high expectations thanks to Lawrence Stroll’s appointment of Adrian Newey at the helm, it has been nothing short of a disaster for the Silverstone-based outfit.

That’s not just for fans of the British constructor, either. 1992 F1 world champion Nigel Mansell has shared his disappointment with the fact that Alonso has, yet again, been unable to flex his skillset due to the calibre of machinery he’s been given.

• READ MORE: Ex-Ferrari engineer says Fernando Alonso can’t blame bad ‘luck’ for low title count

Nigel Mansell says he will ‘rejoice’ once Aston Martin give Fernando Alonso a competitive car

In a recent interview with F1.com, Mansell highlighted how much of a shame it has been to see the two-time world champion languish at the bottom of the drivers’ standings. With eight rounds of racing now in the books, he currently sits P18 with just one point to his name.

How will Fernando Alonso’s Formula 1 career be remembered?

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It’s somewhat of an overachievement for Alonso to have scored that point in itself. The AMR26 has clearly been the most disappointing car on the 2026 grid, with Alonso and teammate Lance Stroll only seeing the chequered flag six times between them from 16 attempts.

“Fernando is such a class act,” the 31-time Grand Prix winner said. “It’s just such a shame that he’s not got the car or the engine to go racing. I have so many compliments [for him]. He’s been in the job for so long now, so many races.

“He’s a great statesman, a wonderful legend, and an incredible world champion. I look forward to, and will rejoice, when they bring the new car and the new engine together. I just want to see them racing.

“Even if they’re only halfway up the grid, it’s better than making the numbers up. I really hope that Aston Martin get their act together soon. It’s heartbreaking to see how they’re struggling.”

• READ MORE: What ‘sources’ are now saying about Fernando Alonso’s future at Aston Martin amid Alpine links

Aston Martin are hoping to turn Alonso’s fortunes around by bringing an updated ‘B-spec’ version of the AMR26 to the Hungarian Grand Prix later this month.

Instead of drip-feeding the challenger upgrades as the season ensues, Newey has decided to keep them all for one big update, which has been tipped to be the saving grace of the British constructor’s season. If that fails, it remains to be seen what it means for Alonso’s future.