Fernando Alonso: Aston Martin naming Adrian Newey F1 crew boss 'logical step'

Double Components 1 world champion Fernando Alonso reckons Adrian Newey changing into the Aston Martin crew principal in 2026 is a ‘logical step’ for the Silverstone squad.

Aston Martin confirmed a restructuring on Wednesday, as Newey will transfer from managing technical accomplice to crew boss with incumbent Andy Cowell changing into chief technique officer.

It comes after a disappointing season for the British outfit, which is eighth within the championship and much from the degrees it reached in 2023 with six podiums within the opening eight grands prix.

This yr has additionally not been of the extent that bold proprietor Lawrence Stroll has anticipated, given he’s invested considerably since taking up in 2018 – then named Racing Level Drive India.

One in all his greatest strikes was signing Newey at the beginning of this yr and the legendary engineer has been working onerous on the 2026 regulation change – with it initially thought that his essential focus was merely designing the automobile.

So, when Alonso was requested forward of this weekend’s Qatar Grand Prix if he ever noticed Newey making the transition, the Aston Martin driver mentioned: “Not likely. We had been discussing extra technical stuff in regards to the automobile than another factor or future goals, however yeah, it is excellent news.

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

Picture by: Dom Gibbons / LAT Photos through Getty Photos

“He was, anyway, managing in a manner the technical growth of the automobile, but additionally the crew, the folks that had been wanted and taking good care of which areas we have to reinforce as a crew, which different areas had been much less necessary.

“So, in a manner, he was doing internally loads of administration and Andy was doing loads of administration as nicely on the engine aspect and engine integration to the chassis. It was perhaps a standard logic step into 2026.”

The transfer comes only a yr into Cowell’s tenure, having beforehand headed the Mercedes powertrain division the place he was essential for its dominant run from 2014 to 2021.

Alonso subsequently thinks this units Aston Martin up for fulfillment within the new guidelines period, the place it’ll change into a Honda works’ outfit, thus ending its tenure as a Mercedes buyer.

“We’ve in all probability the 2 finest folks,” the Spaniard added. “One doing the chassis and the crew, one [doing] the engine integration and the crew as nicely.

“And we have now a really robust chief with Lawrence, with the dedication that Lawrence has and the dedication that he is proven for a lot of, a few years already.

Lawrence Stroll, Owner of Aston Martin F1 Team

Lawrence Stroll, Proprietor of Aston Martin F1 Staff

Picture by: James Sutton / Components 1 / Components Motorsport Ltd through Getty Photos

“So between the three of them, I feel we’re in good arms. Let’s transfer into 2026 with hopefully a greater automobile.”

It’s such expertise that Alonso thinks is ideal for guiding Aston given its rising workforce, having not too long ago opened up a brand new facility throughout the highway from Silverstone circuit.

“I feel with Adrian, there is just one model, which is efficiency,” mentioned Alonso, when requested about what his management model will probably be. “There is no such thing as a different phrase. There may be simply the limitless seek for efficiency and perfection. Nice competitor, nice chief.

“So I feel the entire crew, which isn’t that we aren’t into the efficiency course now, however I feel with Adrian, it is going to be much more excessive. If we are able to embrace that method from all people. We can’t overlook this crew continues to be very new and now the crew grew up so rapidly within the final two or three years.

“So loads of our staff are new to the game, are younger, energetic folks that we want the steering of Adrian, or these nice leaders, that we have now to show them what’s the manner to achieve Components 1.

“We’ve the 2 most profitable people ever within the sport, Andy Cowell and Adrian Newey.”

Pictures from Qatar GP – Thursday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari