Alonso: 2026 Aston Martin F1 project the first Newey has an influence on

Alonso has been on a mission to secure his 33rd F1 career victory and had a chance in 2022 when Aston Martin started off the season with a fast car, only to fade away after that as the team dropped behind rivals in development.

Now, with Adrian Newey joining Aston Martin in early 2025, Alonso was asked whether the Briton's arrival would accelerate the target of a 33rd win.

Speaking to the media over the Singapore Grand Prix weekend, Alonso was asked if Newey could influence the 2025 Aston Martin F1 car; he responded: "I don't think so. I would like to say yes, but honestly, I don't think so. March ‘25, I think the focus for most of the teams will be ‘26 projects and the change of regulations.

"You start in March, until you know everybody, and [when] you take your place in the factories, it’s April or May. And I don't think that it's really worth spending too much in the ‘25 campaign, unless you are fighting for the championship… I hope we have a nice surprise, but I doubt it. So I think the ‘26 project should be the first car that he has an influence [on]," he explained.

The double F1 champion was also asked if he played a role in luring Newey to Aston Martin; he said: "Well, it’s a question for him. I texted him, for sure, like everybody did probably that wanted to work with him.

"And yeah, I saw him also at the Monaco Historic Grand Prix that he was racing that week as well, and we spent half an hour chatting as well. I don't know, I mean, we all tried to persuade him.

"Ultimately, I think Lawrence [Stroll] and, as I said, his vision, the new factory and what Aston Martin wants for the future, together with Honda as well, were probably key factors listening to what Adrian said [about why he joined]," Alonso summed up.

Newey left Red Bull after almost 20 years with the team, and after being linked with a move to Ferrari, he decided to join Aston Martin, where he was also given shares in the team.