Alonso fears 'impossible' challenge over 2026 F1 car

Fernando Alonso has voiced doubt over the ability of Formula 1 teams to decrease their minimum weight by 30 kilograms for the 2026 season.

New technical regulations unveiled on Thursday revealed the minimum weight of the challengers in two years' time will decrease to 768 kg - down from the current figure of 798kg.

The drop comes amid complaints from the drivers over how heavy the cars have become in recent years.

However, with an increase in the electrical output of the cars, Alonso outlined the power units will become much heavier than the current version due to the batteries required.

“I think it is impossible to achieve 30 kilograms already,” the Spaniard told media including RacingNews365.

“The thing is, if you put the power unit being 50 per cent electric [output], you need the batteries to support that.

“The tyres I think are heavier as well [and] cars will just increase 20 or 30 kilos because of the power unit.”

Two years to 'figure it out'

The minimum weight of the F1 cars has increased by almost 200 kg since Alonso made his debut during the 2001 campaign. 

With the FIA outlining it wants to make the cars more “nimble” going forward, Alonso has backed the expertise of engineers to figure the issue out.

“You want to reduce 30 [kg, due to the power unit increase], you need to drop 60 kilos off the current car, which seems at the moment, probably to the teams, an impossible target.

“They have two years to achieve that target. 

“As always in F1, what is impossible in 2024 will become reality in 2026 because there are very clever people in the teams.

“But I think all is a consequence of something else that is in the car.”