Fernando Alonso is already looking beyond 2025. The two-time Formula 1 World Champion made it clear in Budapest that his sights are firmly set on 2026 when F1 enters a new era of technical regulations and when Adrian Newey is expected to deliver his first 'offering' to Aston Martin.
“100%,” Alonso responded when asked how focused he was on next season. The Asturian’s tone changed when discussing the challenge of 2026. His face lit up, and his energy shifted from analytical to passionate. It was unmistakable: his priority is no longer the current car; it is next year's Aston Martin AMR26.
Alonso admitted that development on this year's car has stagnated and revealed that Newey, now at Aston Martin, has had little involvement in the AMR25.
“None. None,” Alonso said firmly. “It was never his priority, you know, from day one, although we’re probably all a bit insistent that he takes a look at it. He’s very focused on next year and has his own way of doing things, and it’s great to see him working and thinking about things or problems that we might face, even in Race 7, after some of the first improvements and things like that, so it’s incredible.”
Alonso joked that he even tries to grab time with Newey when they cross paths. “Do I still have conversations with Newey about the 2026 car when we eat? Yes, when I have the chance. But I saw him at a concert last week, and now he’s not available,” he added with a grin, noting the legendary engineer is currently on holiday before continuing his work on the 2026 project.
Very different Formula 1 cars in 2026
When asked if anything from this year’s car can be applied to the AMR26, Alonso was blunt: “The pit stops. Nothing else. I think the cars are so different that it’s hard to learn anything this year that can be applied next year.
"Everything we wanted to learn from the car and the improvements this year, the wind tunnel information, things like that, are already well and truly proven. So, yeah, now we just have to wait until January and see how fast we can be.”
After a poor outing at Spa-Francorchamps, Alonso believes the Hungaroring offers a better chance of a strong result. “I think it was the track layout, or at least I’d like to think so. We were a bit less competitive at Spa and the car wasn’t that different from the previous races, so from FP1 onwards, we didn’t have the pace. We gambled on a fully wet race, it didn’t happen, so we were a bit unlucky.”
Even so, expectations remain realistic. “I don’t know, I hope it will be a bit more, a bit more in Q3 or a bit more competitive. At Spa we were 19th and 20th in qualifying. You never know. Within two or three tenths, there are 10 cars, and we want to be at the top of that list, but we’ll see.”
Alonso: This season we’ll focus, give our best every weekend
With no substantial development expected for the remainder of 2025, Alonso was pragmatic: “Until you see the checkered flag, there aren’t many things you can do with the car set-up or without improvements that you can magically change. So we’ll focus, give our best every weekend and we’ll see.”
He also dismissed the idea of experimenting with different surface compounds in upcoming free practice sessions: “We don’t have that planned. Spa wasn’t a problem with the surface, but Silverstone was a wet race and we didn’t get all the information we expected.”
Alonso once again raised concerns about poor visibility in wet races. “I think probably since 2017, with that set of regulations and the white tyres, visibility is worse. If you’re alone, you can race. But if you’re in a group, you can’t see anything. Unfortunately, we’ve had too many bad examples, especially at Spa.”
He offered a possible solution: “There are motorways where you don’t get spray. If we implement that asphalt on all circuits, there will be no spray, but probably a lot of degradation in dry conditions. I don’t know, but at least we’d have a starting point. I’m just a driver.”
Alonso: If next year we are fast, we will love the cars
Asked whether the 2026 F1 regulations would improve wet-weather racing, he was clear: “Don’t change anything. It’s going to be the same problem.”
While other drivers like Lance Stroll and Max Verstappen have voiced disappointment with the 2026 car simulations, Alonso kept an open mind. “I only did one day in the simulator and it was difficult to draw any conclusions.
"Every time we racing drivers try something that is slower, we never like it. But then we get into a rental kart with 12 horsepower, and we love it. If next year we are fast, we will love the cars. Hopefully, Lance can enjoy next year. That would be good news.”
As the final races of 2025 play out, Alonso is still fighting, but his mind, and his heart, are on 2026. The belief is there, the motivation is alive, and the legend is preparing.
“We’re not coming here just for fun. We’ll give our best every weekend,” he said, but made it clear: the real battle starts in January. And it starts with Newey.
(Quotes to Agnes Carlier at Hungaroring)
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