Fernando Alonso has contended it isn’t up to Adrian Newey to solve Aston Martin’s current troubles amid the team’s admission he will attend Formula 1 races in 2025.
Having been revealed as the team’s latest headline acquisition last September, Newey is up and running in his new role as Aston Martin’s Managing Technical Partner.
But the celebrated design guru’s arrival in March has coincided with Aston Martin enduring a harrowing start to the campaign with an uncompetitive AMR25 machine.
Aston Martin’s scoreless run across the recent triple header triggered questions about whether Newey’s expertise could be used to salvage the side’s 2025 prospects.
Alonso, who has expressed concern that he could conclude 2025 point-less, has supported Aston Martin’s choice to maximise the Briton’s input on the 2026 package.
“I think he would probably have preferred even joining the team one year ago and start on ’26,” Alonso told media including Motorsport Week in Miami.
“So even for the ’26 project, I’m sure that he thinks it’s late.
“So, I understand completely that he needs to focus only on next year’s car.
“He didn’t make this year’s car, he didn’t touch the car, he didn’t design the car, so I don’t think it’s up to him to fix the car.”
But despite Newey’s time being dedicated to Aston Martin’s 2026 project, team boss Andy Cowell divulged that the ex-Red Bull designer will be present at some races.
When pressed on whether Newey will be spotted in an F1 paddock at some stage this season, Cowell answered: “He will attend the odd race this year.”
Alonso’s unwavering trust in Aston Martin
Aston Martin released images showcasing Alonso and Newey together at the squad’s renovated Silverstone headquarters in the break preceding the Miami weekend.
The Spaniard, who held discussions with Newey over lunch, is certain the British marque’s regression in the past two seasons won’t have an impact on its 2026 plans.
Asked whether his meeting with Newey has reconsolidated his trust in Aston, Alonso said: “Not really, I think I never lost the trust, I’m not too worried about next year.
“I think this year is just a continuation of some of the problems that we found in the last two seasons, and we were not able to overcome some of the obstacles that we found.
“For next year, with the new regulations and Adrian on board, I think nothing of this year’s car is going to be [put] into next year’s project.
“It’s a complete reset, so I’m not too concerned for next year.
“There is a better understanding of where we are lacking capabilities and where we are behind some of the top teams.
“Also, some of these new people that joined the team have a good reference because they come from World Championship contenders, so they know what is needed.”
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