Fernando Alonso says he performed a job in attempting to persuade Method 1 design legend Adrian Newey to hitch Aston Martin, although he admits he would possibly run out of time to learn from his work.
After months of hypothesis, Aston Martin introduced on Tuesday it had signed Newey to work on its 2026 automotive mission from March 2025 onwards, with Newey set to depart Pink Bull after ending off his RB17 hypercar mission.
A number of groups, together with Ferrari, had been actively chasing Newey’s signature as soon as the 65-year-old signalled his intention to depart Pink Bull on the finish of April.
Alonso has additionally admitted to attempting to steer the designer, having harboured a long-term want to work with him. However with the Spaniard’s driving profession unclear past the 2026 season, he is aware of he may not have a lot time to benefit from the fruits of Newey’s labour.
When he introduced his Aston Martin contract extension in April, Alonso mentioned he was dedicated to driving for the staff in 2025 and 2026, however would transfer to an ambassadorial function as soon as his F1 driving days have been over.
“It has been a constructive week for the staff with the announcement and he is an important addition to the staff,” Alonso mentioned. “For me, what I believe is that the Aston Martin staff is the staff of the longer term, in a approach.
“We’ve got fairly good issues coming within the subsequent few months within the staff. Step-by-step, now we have all to have that first race win and hopefully combating for championships sooner or later.
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin F1 Crew
Photograph by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Photographs
“I am conscious that this takes time and I haven’t got that point, in a approach. However I am relaxed and I am having fun with the journey.”
Alonso mentioned he had a chat with Newey over the Monaco Historic Grand Prix weekend, the place the design legend raced a 1968 Lotus 49B.
“I texted him, for positive, like all people did most likely, that needed to work with him,” he defined his function in convincing Newey to hitch.
“I noticed him additionally on the Monaco Historic Grand Prix and we spent half an hour chatting as effectively.
“All of us tried to steer him and I believe finally Lawrence and his imaginative and prescient, the brand new manufacturing unit and what Aston Martin needs for the longer term, along with Honda as effectively, have been most likely key components listening to what Adrian mentioned.”
When requested to make clear his personal driving future, the 2005 and 2006 F1 world champion mentioned: “I will likely be driving in 2026. After 2026 I will likely be driving…or in Method 1 or in different sequence.
“If I am not driving in Method 1, I will likely be within the Aston Martin staff, someway. So I’ll get pleasure from that vivid future, hopefully.”
When staff boss Mike Krack was requested whether or not or not Newey’s arrival would change Alonso’s plans, he joked the Spaniard was so fired up he provided to pay part of Newey’s wages.
Aston Martin F1 staff drivers and administration at Newey’s unveiling
Photograph by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Photographs
“It’s clear Fernando has a protracted future on this staff and he was all enthusiastic about it. On Tuesday he was even saying that he can pay a few of his wages to pay Adrian,” Krack jested. “There was a discuss 10%, 20%, so, I’ll discover out later right this moment how a lot it truly is.
“However you’ll be able to actually see the massive respect that these two individuals have for one another and I believe they need to obtain one thing.
“For Adrian, he needed at all times to work with somebody like Fernando, and vice versa.”
