Alonso: 'Hybrid cars should not be racing' after Monaco practice nightmare

Fernando Alonso launched a blistering attack on Formula 1's hybrid power units following a miserable Friday at the Monaco Grand Prix, declaring that "hybrid cars should not be racing." The Aston Martin veteran, who crashed in FP1 and struggled for pace alongside Lance Stroll, slammed the 2026-spec machinery as the worst he has ever driven at Monaco due to energy management constantly interfering with engine braking and overall drivability.

Why it matters:

Alonso's frustration underscores the tension between F1's sustainability targets and on-track drivability, with drivers facing erratic power delivery and harvesting demands even on a circuit where saving battery was expected to be unnecessary. For Aston Martin, still pointless this season alongside Cadillac, these technical headaches are compounding an already painful start to the campaign.

The details:

• Alonso criticized how aggressively the hybrid system charges the battery under braking, causing inconsistent engine braking that alternates between strong regen and zero resistance when the pack is completely full.
• He explained that downshifts have become a challenge, requiring precise throttle blips to engage gears while the rear axle simultaneously harvests energy.
• Aston Martin also battled gearbox issues that potentially contributed to Alonso's FP1 crash at the chicane, where contact with the wall broke his front wing.
• Both Aston Martin drivers languished among the slowest on the Friday timesheets, cementing their place at the back of the field.

What's next:

With Aston Martin one of only two teams yet to score points in 2026, Alonso's outburst intensifies pressure on the squad to fix its power unit integration. As the paddock debates the merits of the 50/50 combustion-electric split, Monaco's tight confines have offered a stark reminder that the hybrid formula's growing pains are far from resolved.