Fernando Alonso believes the current format of pre-season testing is unfair and should be altered from 2025 onwards. F1 stars are descending on Bahrain ahead of this week’s three-day test, with the first Grand Prix of the year now less than two weeks away.
Alonso and his fellow competitors will begin testing on Wednesday at the Bahrain International Circuit. All 20 drivers will get the chance to put in vital laps, make tweaks to their cars and cast a close eye over the competition until Friday afternoon.
However, each team can only field one car per day, meaning one driver per team will be disadvantaged relative to their team-mate. Going forward, Alonso believes F1 bosses should either extend it to a four-day test or allow both cars to be out on track at the same time.
“We have a very limited testing in Bahrain, which is, and by the way I can say now, I’ve been thinking all winter about this, how unfair it is that we have one day and a half to prepare for a world championship,” said the Spaniard.
“There’s no other sport in the world… With all the money involved, and with all the marketing and the good things that we say about Formula 1, and being closer and closer to the fans, I cannot understand why we then go to Bahrain for four days, which could be two and two for [each of] the drivers.
“If you go for three [days], which is not even, which is an odd number, you cannot divide it [equally] between the drivers. And I don’t know why we don’t go with two cars.”
“I will not stay in Formula One just to have fun. I am not that kind of person and not that kind of driver. Let’s see what the options are. There are only three world champions on the grid and I am the only one available for 2025, so I am in a good position.”
Alonso was the dominant force at Aston Martin last season, blazing a trail miles ahead of team-mate Lance Stroll and banking all eight of the team’s podium finishes.
