Fernando Alonso Expresses Challenges with Complex F1 Car Regulations: A Veteran’s Insight

Formula 1 star Fernando Alonso candidly revealed his struggles in understanding the current F1 car regulations, noting their complexity. This revelation comes as the F1 world grapples with the technological advancements and inconsistencies in car performance.

Key Takeaways:

• Technological Shift: The reintroduction of ground effect aerodynamics in F1 cars has narrowed their operational window, causing confusion among seasoned drivers like Alonso.
• Inconsistency in Performance: Teams like Mercedes and Ferrari have experienced unpredictable performance shifts, as highlighted by Carlos Sainz’s unexpected improvement during a qualifying round.
• Complexity in Car Dynamics: Alonso highlights the increased difficulty in setting up and understanding these cars, leading to surprising and often deceptive race standings.

Fernando Alonso, a revered figure in Formula 1 with over two decades of experience, recently opened up about the challenges posed by the latest F1 cars. These vehicles, now utilizing ground effect aerodynamics intended to reduce dirty air, are exhibiting unpredictable behavior, leaving even seasoned drivers like Alonso perplexed.

This unpredictability has been notably evident in top teams like Mercedes and Ferrari. Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz noted an unexpected improvement in their car’s performance during the qualifying stages at the Mexico Grand Prix, leaving the team both pleasantly surprised and confused.

Alonso, leveraging his extensive experience, remarked on the added complexity introduced by the 2022 regulations. “The cars are definitely more difficult to configure, more difficult to understand. And even more difficult to give information to the team,” he said. Alonso also noted the sometimes baffling correlation between the feel of the car and actual performance, with standings often contradicting his on-track experience.

The reliance on a low, rigid suspension setup, crucial for maximizing ground effect, has compounded the difficulty in understanding these cars’ dynamics. Alonso added, “Our car has something that we don’t quite understand, that, suddenly, we manage to put ourselves in a very good working window and it positively surprises us. Sometimes we don’t know why we are slow or fast.”

These ground effect regulations have posed challenges for several constructors over the past two years. Mercedes, particularly vocal about their struggles, has been experimenting for two years, hoping to find a winning formula for the 2024 season.

Ferrari, McLaren, and other teams have also struggled to adapt, with McLaren making notable progress in the latter half of the 2023 season. Red Bull, however, has successfully navigated these changes, demonstrating dominance over the past two years. As the new season approaches, fans and teams alike are eager to see if other constructors can match or surpass Red Bull’s performance.