Jul.14 (GMM) Fernando Alonso has warned Formula 1’s controversial 2026 regulations could produce an embarrassing spectacle at Spa-Francorchamps this weekend.
The two-time world champion, who has become one of the most consistently outspoken critics of the new rules, says energy management around the high-speed Belgian circuit will be particularly problematic.
“If you use energy at Spa from the first corner, La Source, to turn 5 at Les Combes to attack or defend against an opponent, then it’s finito for the rest of the lap,” Alonso said.
“There’d be no energy use at all for a whole minute in the second sector. And with no deployment at all, we cannot forget that this year we have significantly less power than last year, and less power than F2.”
Amid the concerns over Formula 1’s current regulations, Ferrari is expected to introduce a revised ‘Macarena’ rear wing at Spa that Italian reports claim could be worth as much as 11kph on the long Belgian straights.
The FIA is already examining the Macarena concept following Max Verstappen’s recent failures, with Laurent Mekies admitting the team may even have to abandon its own aggressive design.
Former Minardi boss Giancarlo Minardi believes Ferrari’s recent progress has transformed the championship fight.
“Silverstone once again confirmed how closely this World Championship is balanced,” he said.
“The details will make the difference between now and the end of the season.”
Red Bull, by contrast, is heading to Spa with modest expectations.
“We don’t expect to win any Grands Prix this season,” Mekies admitted. “There’s no doubt that the Austrian update alone won’t be enough.”
Former Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher believes Ferrari’s reliability advantage could also prove decisive after Mercedes suffered another setback at Silverstone on championship leader Kimi Antonelli’s car.
“Ferrari is currently the most stable team when it comes to reliability,” he said.
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