The driver market during the 2024 season was bustling after several big moves were incoming for the 2025 season. However, the most talked about move was Adrian Newey leaving Red Bull for pastures new. He confirmed later in the season that he’d be joining Aston Martin to design their 2026 challenger.
Newey was spotted at the team’s garage during the Monaco GP weekend and was seen talking to the team and taking notes. With Newey in the team, Aston Martin hopes to return to the front of the grid and fight for wins. Several interviews have been conducted regarding the aerodynamic specialist since he joined the team earlier this year.
Fernando Alonso praises Adrian Newey’s insights in building and developing a new car
Among the interviews given was Fernando Alonso, who was more than impressed by the Brit’s work at the team:
“Yeah, it was fantastic. I think the way he sees things on the car, even statically in the pit lane or at the grid, also in the garage, spotting some things that we could have done better or do better in the future.”
“His presence in the meeting room is always special.”
Joining forces at last.
Adrian Newey 🤝 Fernando Alonso. pic.twitter.com/Is5EfaWpSp
— Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team (@AstonMartinF1) September 10, 2024
Alonso has also made comments on the way the team operates and how they’ve improved since Newey joined the team.
“I think, not intimidating, but the level of the team was higher thanks to his presence because everyone was more focused, more into the details of the car. People who were talking in the meeting knew that they could not say anything too far from the truth because he would spot it.”
“So, I think that was great to witness, and I hope next year with more races that he will come, we will keep learning from him and getting better as a team.”
It will be interesting to see what Aston Martin cooks up for the 2026 season. With Adrian Newey designing the car’s aerodynamics and Honda delivering the mechanical package. Alonso managed to score podiums with the team in 2023 on 8 different occasions, but Aston Martin seems to have slipped back since then.
Aston Martin currently has 16 points and sits 9th in the Constructors’ standings. Lance Stroll scored 12 points early in the season. Fernando Alonso, however, ended an eight-race streak by finally scoring points in the Spanish GP.
