Fernando Alonso has warned that Silverstone will present a very different experience under the 2026 Formula 1 regulations. The two-time world champion said the circuit's challenging corners will become a "charging station" for the cars' batteries. He added that the changes will be sad for drivers and spectators alike.
Alonso spoke to media including Autosport and Motorsport.com ahead of the British Grand Prix. He noted that Silverstone suited the previous-generation ground-effect cars perfectly but will require significant energy harvesting under the new rules.
"This year is going to be very different and not fun to drive the cars," Alonso said. "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 Spaniard described the high-speed Maggotts-Becketts-Chapel sequence specifically as "a charging station." He explained that drivers will likely arrive at the corners with depleted batteries after deploying energy earlier on the lap, forcing them to lift and coast rather than attack the sequence flat out.
Max Verstappen previously laughed after simulator runs at the track, while Haas driver Oliver Bearman noted the disruption caused by recent FIA adjustments to energy limits. Those changes forced teams to restart simulator work with limited days remaining.