Fernando Alonso fears Silverstone will Lose Its Magic
Fernando Alonso believes Formula 1 fans could see a very different Silverstone this weekend, with the 2026 cars expected to take away much of what has made the British Grand Prix one of the sport’s biggest attractions.
Speaking ahead of the race weekend, the Aston Martin driver admitted he is not looking forward to driving the new cars around one of Formula 1’s fastest circuits.
“Silverstone was probably the best of the circuits, suiting that car perfectly. This year is going to be very different and not fun to drive the cars.”
Alonso’s biggest concern is the famous Maggotts, Becketts and Chapel section, widely regarded as one of the greatest sequences of corners in Formula 1.
Because of the way the 2026 power units manage and recover energy, drivers are expected to arrive at that section with less electrical power available than in previous seasons.
Asked what the iconic corners would feel like under the new regulations, Alonso gave a blunt response.
“A charging station.”
He believes that change will not only affect the drivers but also the fans watching from the grandstands.
“Looking at the simulator laps and things like that, it’s going to be quite sad, I think, for the drivers, but also for the spectators.”
The FIA has already introduced changes to the energy deployment rules in an attempt to reduce some of the issues teams have experienced during the season. However, Alonso believes those adjustments will not fully solve the problem at Silverstone.
For generations of Formula 1 drivers, Maggotts, Becketts and Chapel have been among the biggest tests of skill on the calendar.
