Will Alonso's statement entice Verstappen to Aston Martin? 'It's the team of the future'

12:39, 18 Apr

Updated: 13:00, 18 Apr

byToby Nixon

Fernando Alonso was thrilled when Adrian Newey joined Aston Martin. With one of the top designers in Formula 1 now on the team, it marked another big step forward in their ambitious push for the world championship. But does Alonso think he can win the title himself? He's not so sure. Still, he believes his successor—perhaps Max Verstappen?—will have a real shot at fighting for the top honors.

Starting in 2026, Honda will be supplying engines to Aston Martin. Alongside Adrian Newey, several other top-tier personnel have also joined the team. Even Max Verstappen is being mentioned as a serious potential option for the future. Despite their current performance struggles, all signs suggest that Fernando Alonso made the right call when he decided to join a team that's quickly shaping up to be a future powerhouse.

Alonso sees a great future for Aston Martin

“I don’t know. I mean, it’s not about right or wrong decisions. You make your choices," Alonso began in Saudi Arabia. "When I left Alpine, I thought that I would not fight for a World Championship there. They may do in the future, but not in the short term – and I don’t have a long-term future, I will not race forever."

In his two year stint with Alpine, Alonso finished on the podium once, at the 2021 Qatar Grand Prix. Upon his arrival at Aston Martin in 2023, a rejuvinated Alonso scored eight podiums.

“So in the period when my racing career is active, I thought Aston Martin was a better place. I did enjoy 2023, being competitive. And I do enjoy now the process that we are in and the building of this team of the future. I sometimes say we are not the team of the present – and that’s what I would like to have, because in the future I don’t know if I will be behind the wheel. But I will do my best to help us achieve the best results as soon as possible.” Explained the two time world champion.