P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Fernando Alonso has revealed his surprise at the announcement that Adrian Newey will head the Aston Martin team from the 2026 F1 season.
Fernando Alonso expressed surprise at the announcement of Adrian Newey taking over as Team Principal at Aston Martin for the 2026 Formula 1 season. Newey’s history of designing championship-winning cars for top teams created shockwaves in the F1 world ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix. The news signifies a significant change in leadership with Andy Cowell transitioning to the role of Chief Strategy Officer.
Alonso mentioned that discussions with Newey mostly revolved around technical aspects of the car, rather than organizational changes, but he sees the move as a positive development. The Spaniard revealed his lifelong aspiration of driving a car designed by Newey due to the legendary designer’s relentless pursuit of performance and perfection. Additionally, Alonso praised the strong leadership of Lawrence Stroll and expressed confidence in the team’s future success under the guidance of Newey and Cowell.
The restructuring at Aston Martin represents a strategic move towards enhancing performance and team dynamics for the upcoming season. Alonso highlighted the need for the team’s young and energetic members to learn from experienced leaders like Newey and Cowell to achieve success in Formula 1. The collaboration of these two accomplished individuals is expected to elevate Aston Martin’s performance and competitiveness in the sport.
