Alonso: With Newey, Aston Martin are the F1 team of the future

Spain's double F1 world champion has a contract with Aston Martin to 2026 when he will be 45-years-old. Meanwhile, F1's winningest designer, Newey, 65, will be joining Silverstone-based from Red Bull in March next year with his focus mostly on designing the car for 2026 when F1 has a fresh set of rules and embarks on a new engine era.

On Thursday ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Alonso told reporters: "It has been a positive week for sure for the team with the announcement. He's a great addition to the team.

"The Aston Martin team is the team of the future in a way, we are just opening new buildings at the campus, the wind tunnel will be in January, Honda, Aramco, the best partners in the world probably and now Adrian as well.

"I think the team is taking shape and Lawrence's vision is taking shape," added Alonso, with reference to Canadian billionaire owner Lawrence Stroll whose dream team it is, with Newey a key to the ambitious project.

Alonso, who took his F1 world titles with Renault in 2005 and 2006, has not won a race since his 32nd career victory at Ferrari in 2013. The Spaniard is four races away from a record-extending 400th grand prix, although he has started 'only' 393 so far.

Alonso said a new wind tunnel would be a game changer for a team currently fifth overall and limited to using the one belonging to engine partners Mercedes when they have an opportunity: "Step by step we have all (we need) to have that first race win and hopefully fighting for championships in the future.

"I'm aware that this takes time and I don't have that time in a way, but you know I'm relaxed and I'm enjoying the journey," revealed Alonso, who said he would be driving in 2026 and hoped to continue after that in some other series if not Formula One.

"If I'm driving in Formula 1, I will be in the Aston Martin team somehow so I will enjoy that bright future hopefully. Valkyrie (WEC Hypercar) programme for Le Mans is taking shape as well with the debut next year and who knows? Maybe '27, '28, '29," said Alonso, a two times Le Mans winner.