Will Newey make Alonso champion again? 'Time is not my friend'

Alonso realises better than anyone that the successful designer could well be the missing link to ensure the British team can compete for the top prizes in Formula 1. Speaking to the international media (including GPblog) in the Baku Press conference, Alonso was still beaming.

"Well, it has been a positive week for the team with the announcement," was the first thing the Spaniard said. "He [Newey] is a great addition to the team. I think the Aston Martin team is the team of the future. We have just opened new buildings at the factory, at the campus. Building two is finished. Wind tunnel will be in January. Honda, Aramco, best partner in the world, probably. Now Adrian as well. I think the team is taking shape. And Lawrence’s vision is taking shape."

When Alonso talks about the team of the future, he is under no illusions. Newey's influence on the 2025 Formula 1 season is likely to be minimal. "I would like to say yes, but honestly, I don't think so. March 2025, I think the focus for most of the teams will be 2026 projects and change of regulations," stated the two-time world champion, who indicated that it was not worth working on the car for 2025 so relatively late in the season. "Unless you are fighting for the championship, which I hope we have a nice surprise, but I doubt it. So I think the 2026 project should be the first car that he has an influence on."

Alonso still in Formula 1 after 2026?

Alonso has a contract with Aston Martin for the 2026 season, but he will be 45 that year. The end of his career in F1 is then approaching. He certainly won't stop racing, but whether it will be in F1? That is uncertain. "If I'm not driving in Formula 1, I will be in the Aston Martin team somehow. So I will enjoy that bright future, hopefully."

So if Alonso wants to take that 33rd win - let alone a third championship - then 2026 seems to be his best chance for that. "Let's see. We cannot predict the future. We have quite good things coming in the next few months in the team, especially the wind tunnel. I would say that is a game changer for us," said the Spaniard, who explained that his team currently uses Mercedes' wind tunnel and cannot always go in it at the desired times.

"We cannot forget Aston Martin, two years ago, were still in a very small building from Racing Point, Force India. Now we have doubled the personnel, and we have this new facility. So step by step, we have everything to get that first race win and hopefully fight for championships in the future. I'm aware that this takes time and I don't have that time in a way. But I'm relaxed and I'm enjoying the journey," he added.

This article has been created in collaboration with Matt Gretton

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