(Motorsport-Total.com) – According to Fernando Alonso, Monza is no longer the “Temple of Speed” in the current Formula 1. This is how the two-time world champion expressed himself after qualifying for the Italian Grand Prix.
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“It was different than before in Monza,” Alonso explains about the experience of driving the 2026 season cars in the royal park. “We come here and arrive at the ‘Temple of Speed’. It is no longer the ‘Temple of Speed’.”
“We reached 350 or 360 km/h in Barcelona, I believe, 355 in Budapest,” Alonso continues. “And in Monza, we are around 312. So it is no longer the ‘Temple of Speed’.”
Lack of power in Monza
It should be noted that Aston Martin is struggling with a large deficit in terms of power. While Alonso was able to reach a top speed of 319 km/h on his fastest lap, Pierre Gasly managed to break 342 km/h on his pole lap.
For comparison: Last year, many cars easily exceeded 340 km/h in qualifying and even touched 350 km/h. This year, the teams’ top speed values in qualifying are mostly between 330 and 340 km/h.
Additionally, drivers in 2025 did not have to deal with the omnipresent energy management seen this season. Consequently, drivers like Charles Leclerc or Arvid Lindblad confirm the impression of the 45-year-old.
“It was not as bad as it [previously] looked in theory,” Leclerc explains, “but I wouldn’t say it was my favorite experience in Monza.”
Meanwhile, Lindblad responds to the question of whether battery management in Monza was as terrible as he had expected beforehand with the words: “Yes, it was pretty bad.”
Nevertheless, Alonso, despite his frequent criticism of the current regulations, subtly directs some criticism towards Honda. After all, problems with the power unit prevented a final shot in Q1.
Technical problems in qualifying for Alonso
“The engine wouldn’t start,” Alonso explains. “We had a problem with the power unit. I don’t know if it was the combustion engine or the battery. So we couldn’t fully exploit our potential in qualifying.”
Read more According to Fernando Alonso: Monza no longer the «Temple of Speed»
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Alonso started his first and only attempt on used tires. Consequently, he assumes that a second run would have allowed him a better time. However, after ninth place in Zandvoort, Alonso does not want to dream of Q2.
“[We probably] could have been ahead of the Cadillacs, but no more,” is his assessment. “So far, it has really been a difficult weekend.”
Alonso expects similar hardships for the AMR26 due to many long straights also at the night race in Las Vegas. The biggest deficit clearly lies in power.
Although Honda has worked on drivability with the upgrade for its own power unit, the Aston Martin driver emphasizes: “In Monza, more power is more important than drivability.”
On the other hand, Alonso praises the chassis in the highest terms despite P21 in qualifying and refers to the race weekends in Budapest and Zandvoort. In any case, the veteran is unimpressed by the current weaknesses of the AMR26 and its power unit.
“We are at the back of the field, so I am not too worried about this year,” says Alonso. “If we have the chance to score points again, then [I will take it] gladly. And if not? Also okay.”
“It will not change our attitude; our determination to have a better year in 2027. As a team, we are not where we should be. Everything is a mountain to climb. We know there are areas where we need to improve.”
“The chassis,” he says from his perspective, “we have steered in a better direction for next year. Now we have to do the same with the engine.”
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