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LIVE: F1 Canadian Grand Prix updates - Antonelli leads as Russell and Norris among six retirees

Formula 1
Canadian GP
LIVE: F1 Canadian Grand Prix updates - Antonelli leads as Russell and Norris among six retirees

Russell suffers dramatic exit from F1 Canada GP

Formula 1
Canadian GP
Russell suffers dramatic exit from F1 Canada GP

Rosenqvist wins 2026 Indy 500 in closest-ever finish

IndyCar
110th Running of the Indianapolis 500
Rosenqvist wins 2026 Indy 500 in closest-ever finish

BTCC Snetterton: Shedden sees off Sutton for race three win, Ingram charges to third

BTCC
Snetterton (300 Circuit)
BTCC Snetterton: Shedden sees off Sutton for race three win, Ingram charges to third

McLaren: Pirelli F1 tests will help Ferrari, Red Bull for rainy Canadian GP

Formula 1
Canadian GP
McLaren: Pirelli F1 tests will help Ferrari, Red Bull for rainy Canadian GP

BTCC Snetterton: Sensational Sutton strikes from 10th to win, disaster for Ingram

BTCC
Snetterton (300 Circuit)
BTCC Snetterton: Sensational Sutton strikes from 10th to win, disaster for Ingram

DTM Zandvoort: Van der Linde grabs victory for BMW as Dorr takes maiden podium

DTM
Zandvoort
DTM Zandvoort: Van der Linde grabs victory for BMW as Dorr takes maiden podium

Why wet Canadian GP will be "the perfect storm" for F1

Formula 1
Canadian GP
Why wet Canadian GP will be "the perfect storm" for F1

Formula 1 too focused on protecting small teams - Fernando Alonso

Fernando Alonso believes Formula 1 bosses concern themselves too much with helping the independent teams when the championship should be about survival of the fittest

Fernando Alonso believes Formula 1 bosses concern themselves too much with helping the independent teams when the championship should be about survival of the fittest.

Formula 1 has introduced a host of measures aimed at cutting costs, including slashing on-track testing, reducing the amount of windtunnel time and a cap on staffing numbers.

Now teams are confined to two pre-season tests and two days where 100km is permitted for promotional purposes with a greater emphasis put on CFD.

When asked what he would like from the major regulation change planned for 2017 if he could design the rules, Alonso said: "Bigger engines, more power, more aero, more freedom for the teams to develop and more testing.

"I guess it is something like F1 was 10 years ago maybe.

"I know sometimes it was more expensive, which I doubt because now the technology of simulators and other technology increases the cost.

"If some teams cannot afford to test, it's their problem, it's the nature of the sport.

"Real Madrid can buy some players and other teams cannot. They cannot say sorry for that.

"In F1 there is always the need to protect the small teams and sometimes if they cannot test, they cannot test."

For 2017, the plan is to increase the speed of F1 machinery by five-to-six seconds per lap and for cars to look more aggressive with bigger rear tyres and wider front and rear wings.

While Alonso is in favour of faster cars, he's unsure whether the planned changes will have a positive impact on F1.

"The expectations are to have a fast F1 car because now we have a slow F1 car," he said.

"A fast F1 car will be a better show for people watching the race.

"But to have better races, it's difficult to know what you need.

"If you look at his year, you have maybe four or five boring races where nothing happens and then suddenly two races which are spectacular and nothing has changed.

"It's the same cars and the same teams. Even with the circuit, one year you see a boring race and the next year it's spectacular."

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