Motorsports
Alonso: “Outdated F1 qualifying tests, worst moment of three days”
Fernando Alonso was visibly upset after qualifying for the Abu Dhabi GP and called for a change in the way the GP is run in 2024. He said qualifying “used to be the best moment of the three-day race and now it’s the worst.”
On the occasion of the second free practice session in Yas Marina – for the 22nd and final race of the Formula 1 Championship this year – in which Max Verstappen passed the two Mercedes on the way out of the pits, the sports stewards also prohibited this possibility that the drivers can secure a more favorable track position for their fast lap during qualifying tests.
According to Alonso, this means added complexity for drivers, who are forced to wait at the exit of the pits on time and then struggle to find fresh air on their fast laps – free from a car in close proximity in front of them – and within the Route limits remain so that your times are not deleted.
The Spaniard, who has experienced many different qualifying test structures in Formula 1 since 2001, said the current one is now the worst: “The qualification structure is now outdated. This was the best moment of the three days as the cars showed their full potential.
We are driving these very fast cars and now this is the worst moment of the three days. For the teams, for the drivers, for traffic management, for the limits of the track. You go to the marshal because you didn’t respect the time limit in the lap, because you hindered other drivers, laps are deleted. We are all glad that it is over and that it shouldn’t be like this from now on.added the Aston Martin F1 driver.
After the major fiasco of the 2021 Abu Dhabi GP with Michael Massi, the FIA, under the leadership of its new president Mihamed bin Sulayem, has become significantly stricter in its strict adherence to the regulations. But Alonso’s voice joins those calling for a change to the qualifying structure from 2024 – along with changes to the structure and running of the sprint races.
As for today’s race (26/11) in Abu Dhabi, after finishing 7th in qualifying, Fernando Alonso is not optimistic that Aston Martin can beat McLaren for 4th place in the constructors’ championship in the final race of the year. After all, McLaren has an 11-point lead in this battle.
“I think tires wear out much more in combat than when driving with fresh air in front of you.explained Alonso. “However, with the differences we have now, it’s not a breath of fresh air. “So I think it’s going to be a very big game for us.
Obviously that is McLaren it is our only goal. Both start ahead of us, so we need a bit of chaos if we want to overtake them. In a normal race they will finish before us and that is not good enough for us.”concluded the 42-year-old.
Source: sport 24
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Four-time Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen has returned to Portugal to test his GT3 car at the start of the 2026 season.
Last year the Dutch driver took to the track several times in his touring cars; in particular, he participated in the Nordschleife competition, which he won together with his teammate Chris Lulem.
Verstappen has long expressed his passion for endurance racing and plans to compete more frequently in the form of motorsport after retiring from Formula 1. He arrived in Portugal last year, just a week after failing to win another world title against Lando Norris.
The 28-year-old driver arrived at the Portuguese Grand Prix circuit Estoril, where he tested the Mercedes AMG GT3 on wet surfaces.
Let’s remember, at the end of 2025, Verstappen’s endurance racing team announced that it had signed a contract with Mercedes to participate in future competitions.
Verstappen in Mercedes’ Portimão. Images are in the foreground. #daznf1 pic.twitter.com/1NFxvED3So
— joao carlos costa (@jcccomentador) January 14, 2026
Source: Sport UA
Ruth Waterhouse is an author and sports journalist who writes for Sportish. She is known for her coverage of various sports events and her insightful analysis of sports-related news. With a passion for sports and a keen eye for detail, she has become a respected voice in the sports community.
Revolut, the name sponsor of the Audi Formula 1 team, criticized the exterior design of Ferrari’s other name partner, HP, which carries the blue logo.
Ferrari and HP announced a multi-year title sponsorship agreement almost two years ago. The contract led to visible changes in the appearance of the Italian team’s cars, especially the appearance of the blue elements on the traditional red livery.
Revolut Marketing Director Antoine Le Nel said he thought this design decision was unsuccessful.
“Brand identity is extremely important. At Revolut, design and user experience are very important and everything needs to fit together. No offense, but what HP and Ferrari have done in terms of design is not a good solution. How to paint a red car blue?”
Le Nel also touched upon positive examples of branding in Formula 1, highlighting Mastercard’s collaboration with McLaren as well as the integration of the Google Chrome brand.
Source: Sport UA
Ruth Waterhouse is an author and sports journalist who writes for Sportish. She is known for her coverage of various sports events and her insightful analysis of sports-related news. With a passion for sports and a keen eye for detail, she has become a respected voice in the sports community.
McLaren CEO Zak Brown is confident Oscar Piastri will continue to improve after the Australian driver won the Formula 1 championship last season.
Piastri could become the first Australian champion since Alan Jones in 1980. He led the overall standings for 15 stages and almost six months, from the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in April until the Mexican Grand Prix in October, when he lost the lead.
At the end of the 24-stage season, the Australian lost 13 points to teammate Lando Norris, who eventually became champion. Max Verstappen finished the race 11 points ahead of Piastri after a late-season collapse.
Throughout the year, Piastri repeatedly expressed his dissatisfaction with team decisions, especially at the Italian and Singapore Grand Prix; According to him, McLaren preferred Norris, which was also reflected in their radio conversations.
But Zac Brown insists Piastri’s contribution deserves the biggest praise and believes his time will come.
“He’s had an incredible season. It’s easy to forget that Oscar has only been racing in Formula 1 for three years.”
He drives with experience and skill that belies his age and always behaves as professionally as possible.
From day one we knew we had a real star. I have no doubt that his star will continue to rise.”
Source: Sport UA
Ruth Waterhouse is an author and sports journalist who writes for Sportish. She is known for her coverage of various sports events and her insightful analysis of sports-related news. With a passion for sports and a keen eye for detail, she has become a respected voice in the sports community.
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