Alonso: 2026 hybrid rules cause inconsistent engine braking

Fernando Alonso condemned this season’s F1 hybrid power‑unit and battery rules after practice in Monaco, saying they produce inconsistent engine braking, poor driveability and have damaged wheel‑to‑wheel racing. The three‑time world champion called the cars “probably the worst generation of cars I ever drove in Monaco” and added, “hybrid cars should not be racing.” He blamed complex energy‑harvesting rules and battery charging and deployment logic that make engine braking sometimes strong, sometimes weak and that can vanish when the battery is full. Alonso described on‑track consequences including chronic understeer, erratic driveability and sudden downshifts that led to a tap of the wall approaching the Nouvelle Chicane in FP1. His Aston Martin AMR26 remained off the pace in practice despite setup tweaks and he finished 20th in the session. He pointed to other examples, such as Suzuka, and his complaints echo remarks he made after the Canadian round as part of an ongoing push to change the regulations.