Fernando Alonso not yet convinced by the new F1 rules. The Aston Martin driver is among those who believe that the new rules introduced in Formula 1 championship in 2022 have not yet clearly met expectations as the Spanish driver slams the sport he returned to.

Two-time Formula 1 world champion Fernando Alonso has not yet been fully convinced by the new rules that have been introduced in Formula One in 2022.

In 2022, Formula 1 underwent a revolution with the introduction of a brand new technical regulation for the first time since 2014, when hybrid engines made their debut in the Formula 1 championship. Originally scheduled for 2021, the introduction of the new technical regulations has been postponed for a year due to the health crisis.

In broad terms, the new technical regulations are based on four main points: a freeze on the development of power units, tighter restrictions on aero testing, a reduction in the budget allocated per season with a cap, and the introduction of new 18-inch tyres (as opposed to the previous 13-inch).

These new rules have been introduced above all to allow the cars to follow each other very closely on the track (less than a second) and thus offer more excitement with easier overtaking for the drivers, while the emphasis has been placed on the return of the ground effect on F1 cars.

Formula 1 still dominated by two teams

After the first season under the new rules, which was largely dominated by Red Bull and Max Verstappen, some drivers, such as Fernando Alonso, feel that the new rules are not yet convincing enough.

“The new rules were one of the reasons I came back [to F1]. They were originally supposed to be introduced in 2021. So I came back a year too early,” the now Aston Martin driver told AMUS.

“So, yes, it was a bit disappointing for everyone to realise that things hadn’t changed dramatically. There are at most two teams that can win races, as has been the case in recent years.”

“The gap between the top two or three teams and the middle of the pack is still too big. In 50% of the races we are one lap behind the winner. Therefore, we have not yet achieved the result that Formula 1 is aiming for with the new rules.”

Asked if he thinks the new rules will have a significant impact at some point, the Spaniard said, “I don’t think the budget cap will have a big impact. It will be more the rules, they are very restrictive.”

“There is not much left to invent. The best teams are pretty close to the limit and the others will catch up.”

In 2022, Fernando Alonso finished ninth in the world drivers’ championship with 81 points scored. The Spaniard was the victim of numerous reliability problems with his Alpine.