Harry Benjamin ‘not convinced’ £19m-a-year F1 driver will be in title contention next season, ‘there will be questions…’

Formula 1 teams are already focusing their attention on 2026 ahead of the sport’s biggest regulation change in years.

The engine and chassis regulations for next season are set to transform F1 as it moves towards sustainability. Many teams have already decided to focus their efforts on 2026 and abandon their 2025 cars, while others are still weighing up options.

This indecisiveness is why many teams believe Cadillac have an advantage. F1’s 11th team – who join the grid next season – can focus solely on 2026 while the current teams must balance their 2025 machine with perfecting next year’s regulations.

Ferrari will decide ‘next month’ whether to abandon their efforts in 2025 after scoring just 35 points from the opening three races. Aston Martin are one team who are clearly focusing on 2026, with Lawrence Stroll building an exciting project at Silverstone.

Adrian Newey will be spearheading the operation as Honda join the team as their engine supplier. Aston Martin hope that Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll can guide the team to title success, but Harry Benjamin is ‘not convinced’ about the team’s prospects.

Harry Benjamin is ‘not convinced’ Fernando Alonso will be a title contender in 2026

Since scoring eight podiums with Aston Martin in 2023, Alonso has not reached the same heights. In 2025, the £19m-a-year driver has had a woeful start to the season.

The Spaniard has endured his worst start to a season since 2017 with McLaren, crashing out in Melbourne, retiring with a brake issue in China and failing to score points in Japan. His performances have led to concerns surrounding his ability as Aston Martin prepare for the future.

Now 43, Benjamin says there will be ‘questions’ as to whether Alonso can still fight for a world championship if Newey can build a strong car for 2026. Speaking via Midweek F1, the commentator is ‘not convinced’ the two-time champion will be in contention next season.

“Up until this weekend gone, he wasn’t even classified in the championship because he hadn’t reached the chequered flag,” he said.

“He had a brake problem in China, but he did crash out by himself in Australia so even the mighty Fernando Alonso is not immune of mistakes.

“He’s a hell of a character is Fernando Alonso has buand you will never take away the talent he has but there will be questions asked of if he has still got it.

“Oldest driver on the grid now. He is hanging on there for Adrian Newey and his influence on what that car is going to deliver.

“Could it be a massive turnaround for next year and Alonso is in the championship hunt? Could well be, I’m not convinced yet.”

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Fernando Alonso has been outperformed by Lance Stroll so far in 2025

Alonso’s future is not in danger at Aston Martin despite interest in Max Verstappen. The 43-year-old has a contract until 2026, as does teammate Stroll – but the team will want to see improvement from the former.

Alonso has largely outperformed Stroll since the pair have been teammates. However, in 2025, the pendulum has swung in the Canadian’s favour as he has 10 points to the Spaniard’s zero after three races.

While Stroll’s P6 in Australia was fortunate due to the tricky weather conditions, accidents and botched strategy calls, he has looked impressive in comparison to his teammate. Stroll discovered something Alonso did not on the simulator, showing a significant improvement from the 26-year-old.

The AMR25 is not a particularly strong package, but Stroll seems to be maximising it more than his experienced teammate at the moment, despite finishing last at Suzuka. Aston Martin will not bring upgrades before Imola – a huge concern for Alonso as he looks to improve this weekend in Bahrain.