Two-time F1 world champion Fernando Alonso is pleased with Adrian Newey joining Aston Martin but fears he may not have enough time to benefit from the team’s big plans.
Alonso says he played a role in convincing Formula 1 design legend Adrian Newey to join Aston Martin but admits he might not have enough time to enjoy the fruits of Newey’s work. After months of speculation, Aston Martin announced on Tuesday that Newey would join them from March 2025 to work on the 2026 car project, following the completion of the RB17 Hypercar project and his departure from Red Bull.
Many teams, including Ferrari, had pursued Newey after he announced his intention to leave Red Bull at the end of April, given that he is 65 years old.
Alonso also admitted that he tried to persuade the designer and has long wanted to work with him. However, he is aware that his driving career beyond the 2026 season is uncertain, and he may not have much time to enjoy the results of Newey’s efforts.
In April, Alonso announced he had extended his contract with Aston Martin and would continue racing for the team in 2025 and 2026, but he mentioned transitioning to an ambassador role after his Formula 1 days are over.
Alonso said, “It’s been a positive week for the team with the announcement, and he [Newey] will be a great addition. For me, I think Aston Martin is, in a way, a team of the future.”
“We’ll have quite good things happening in the team in the coming months. Step by step, we all need to fight for our first race win and hopefully fight for the championship in the future.”
“I’m aware it will take time, and in a way, I don’t have that time. But I’m comfortable and enjoying the journey,” he added.
Alonso mentioned he had a chat with Newey during the Monaco Historic Grand Prix weekend, where Newey was driving a 1968 Lotus 49B.
On his role in convincing Newey to join, Alonso said, “I sent him a message, probably like everyone else, telling him I wanted to work with him.”
“I saw him at the Monaco Historic Grand Prix and we talked for half an hour. We all tried to convince him, and I think ultimately Lawrence’s vision, the new factory, and Aston Martin’s future plans, together with Honda, were significant factors that Adrian listened to.”
When asked about his future in racing, the 2005 and 2006 F1 world champion said, “I will be racing in 2026. After 2026, I will be racing either in Formula 1 or other series. If I’m not in Formula 1, I will somehow be with Aston Martin. I hope to enjoy that bright future.”
When asked if Newey’s arrival would change Alonso’s plans, team principal Mike Krack joked that Alonso was very excited and even offered to pay part of Newey’s salary.
Krack said, “Fernando’s future with the team is clear and he was very excited about it. On Tuesday, he even joked about paying part of Adrian’s salary, like 10% or 20%. I will find out how much it was today.”
“But you can really see the mutual respect between these two people, and I think they want to achieve something together. Adrian always wanted to work with someone like Fernando, and vice versa…” he added.
