Alonso: The sensations remain there with the new F1

The paddock of the F1 is divided on the new regulations and the introduction of the 6l turbo/hybrid V1.6. Several pilots like Jenson Button are reserved on certain aspects of the new single-seaters, particularly in terms of noise, an argument often raised by Bernie Ecclestone. Fernando Alonso noted that the driving had evolved with the performance revised downwards, but the Asturian does not seem perturbed by these changes.

The pilot of the Team Ferrari believes that the sensations are similar and that the essentials are preserved with this new engine. “Cars are slower. I did a lap in 1'16 on this circuit (Jerez) in 2004 and I am now in 1'26, ten seconds more than ten years ago. These single-seaters are less physically demanding. The Gs are less powerful because the speed is lower when cornering. But, on the other hand, we have even more parameters to control, whether with the buttons on the steering wheel or in terms of steering and controlling the car (particularly in terms of torque). It's just different but I would say the sensations are more or less the same. »

Fernando Alonso insists that the drop in performance is not a dampener on the competitive spirit. “I was maybe 20 seconds or half a minute off that pace when I was running. karting and yet I enjoy being behind the wheel just as much.”, adds the double world champion. “It doesn’t matter what the time is as long as we’re at the limit. It doesn't affect the sensations of good driving. There car remains pleasant to drive. »