(Motorsport-Total.com) – Suzuka’s legendary roller-coaster ride has lost a massive amount of appeal for Fernando Alonso. According to the two-time world champion, the unique driving challenge of the traditional Japanese circuit has completely disappeared with the introduction of the 2026 rules.
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When asked whether the demanding sections of the track still make the difference, the Spaniard finds drastic words: “It’s gone,” Alonso rants about the lack of challenge. “I already told you in Bahrain that the cook could drive through turns 10 and 11 here. Maybe not the cook, but a good 50 percent of the team members. As I have said many times, the high-speed corners are now degenerating into mere charging stations for the car.”
Because in Suzuka – similar to Melbourne’s Albert Park – there are hardly any hard braking zones where drivers can naturally recuperate energy, the current regulations require drastic measures. The drivers have to lift in the actually lightning-fast Degner and Spoon corners to fill the battery for the straights.
A circumstance that goes completely against the grain for Alonso: “You drive slower, charge the battery in the fast sections and then have full power on the straight. Driving skill is no longer really required there. You just have to get off the gas or turn down the battery to charge the thing. So yes, the challenge in the fast corners is history.”
Audi pilot contradicts his mentor
Gabriel Bortoleto does not want to let this harsh criticism of the new cars stand. The Audi driver clearly contradicts his mentor’s assessment and emphasizes that a perfect qualifying round still requires absolute sensitivity.
“It’s still extremely fun,” the Brazilian counters. “When I drive through the high-speed corners and then get out of the car, I have to take a deep breath first. It’s still incredible how fast we fly through the corners and how precise you have to be.”
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Especially when it comes to the starting grid, the car forgives no blunders: “I like to drive my car absolutely at the limit anyway. You have to be extremely precise, especially on a lap in Q2 or Q3, so as not to make a mistake and bang out a strong lap time.”
“Leclerc praises FIA intervention, but calls for solutions”
The fact that the problem in Suzuka cannot be dismissed is shown by the intervention of the stewards. The FIA had briefly reduced the maximum permitted energy output for qualifying in Japan from 9 to 8 megajoules. This was intended to prevent drivers from engaging in extreme “lift and coast” or even using so-called “super clipping.”
Charles Leclerc expressly welcomes this step. “I think it would have been much worse if they hadn’t done anything at all,” the Ferrari star analyzes. “It’s going in the right direction. Whether we need another step or something else could make a bigger difference remains to be seen.”
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The Monegasque announces that the teams will use the break until the next race intensively: “Until Miami, there will be a lot of brainstorming not only at the FIA but also with us. We will submit proposals to improve these rules in qualifying.”
Basically, Leclerc does not want to demonize the new generation of vehicles – the problem is primarily limited to the hunt for the best time. “To be honest: in the race, the car is actually quite good and hardly differs from last year. Also the driving style doesn’t change much either,” Leclerc concludes. “But in qualifying, it’s just a bit frustrating at the moment.”
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