Alonso wants Newey at Aston Martin: 'The best ever in Formula One'

"I respect him a lot," the Spaniard continued in the paddock in Miami. "I consider him the best Formula 1 probably ever had, a legend of the sport, and I feel in a way privileged to drive alongside him in the paddock and obviously as a competitor. But I feel lucky to be part of his journey, and he was part of my journey as well in a way because I competed against his cars. I will have the Aston Martin Valkyrie in my garage, and that will probably be a little gift that I give to myself, having Adrian Newey's car."

Alonso once almost worked with Newey

In his long career, Alonso drove for many teams, but never for a Newey team. That could easily have been different: "I was close a few times. I even spoke with him a few times because some of those meetings in the past were not only with Christian and Helmut. Some of them were actually with Adrian, and I always expressed my admiration to him, and he was always sharing his respect to me and let's see what he does in the future."

Aston Martin has been making huge strides in recent years. Bringing in Newey could just be the missing link to success. "I don't know," Alonso responded, however. "I think it's a question for Lawrence [Stroll]. We are very happy with our technical department. Obviously, Adrian is the best out there, but it needs to fit in a team, and it is more a Lawrence decision, and Adrian's ultimate decision."

Is Alonso making a case for Newey?

Alonso is the type who can stir things up quite a bit internally. On that, he said: "I think it's more up to the team because Adrian will not move just now to any individuals wish or anything like that. I think he's into a bigger picture. We don't know even if he wants to retire from Formula 1 and have different approaches to the future. So it's more a question for him. I don't know if he's coming this weekend. I hope for him not but let's let's see what he decides."