When Fernando Alonso made his Formula 1 debut as an exciting talent with Minardi at the 2001 Australian Grand Prix, very few people would have predicted that he would be planning to race in the sport 25 years later.
However, after agreeing a new contract earlier in the year with Aston Martin, double world champion Fernando Alonso will be on the grid when the next set of regulations roll around in 18 months.
In an interview with the Spanish outlet AS, Alonso has given his thoughts on the upcoming changes.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Formula 1’s new 2026 regulations
As with every new set of rules proposed in Formula 1, there has been a mixed response from drivers, teams and experts.
Karun Chandhok and Max Verstappen have agreed on one aspect of the rule changes that they believe hasn’t gone far enough.
The new power unit regulations are also causing a headache, although one driver has admitted that they have played a part in a new contract he signed this year.
Fernando Alonso has suggested that the 2026 regulations appear to be much too strict.
He would like to see teams given more creative freedom otherwise every car will look exactly the same.
READ MORE: Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso’s life outside F1 from net worth to Cars 2
Fernando Alonso wants 2026 regulations to give teams more creative freedom
Although Aston Martin are firmly stuck in Formula 1’s midfield this season with Alonso and Lance Stroll regularly fighting at the bottom of the top ten.
However, there is hope that they might be a front-running works team when the next set of rules are introduced.
Firstly, they’ve secured a deal with Honda to become their power unit suppliers who are currently working alongside champions Red Bull.
The likes of Bob Bell have been brought in to begin working on their 2026 car which is a shrewd plan.
As reported by Formu1a.uno and others, they’re also pushing hard to bring in Adrian Newey when he leaves Red Bull next year.
Alonso wouldn’t have signed up for another two years at Aston Martin if he didn’t think they were well placed to challenge in the future and even thinks he has a chance against an in-form Max Verstappen.
However, he believes the cars will all look too similar if they don’t loosen some of the regulations.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Aston Martin F1 Team from team principal to lineage
Fernando Alonso to continue with Aston Martin until at least 2026
Asked if he would like more responsibility to be on the driver as part of the 2026 ruleset, Alonso said: “Sure, but that’s the nature of F1.
“What I would like would be more design freedom, all the cars today look very similar to each other.
“There is little inventiveness, if you start a regulation wrong you drag it all the way through. When I was a kid, F1 cars were very different.
“One with a high nose, one with a low nose, one with six wheels. Now that creativity is gone and I’d like to see more of it.”
It would be fascinating to see what each team could do with a bit more freedom.
The days of the six-wheeled Tyrrell Alonso refers to are long gone, but if they can bring Newey on board then that would significantly improve their chances.
They still need to confirm their second driver for next year although Ted Kravitz has shared his theory as to why Lance Stroll hasn’t announced whether he’s staying or leaving.
The post ‘What I would like’: Fernando Alonso shares the key change he would make to F1’s 2026 ruleset appeared first on F1 Oversteer.