Alonso – Newey, former “sworn enemies” now partners at Aston Martin

It is one of the most anticipated, spectacular and incredible partnerships of recent years. Having worked with many world champions – Nigel Mansell, Alain Prost, Mika Hakkinen, Sebastien Hag et Max Verstappen to name just a few – Adrian Newey will have the opportunity to work with Fernando Alonso from 2025, within the stable Aston Martin. A duo that seems almost improbable when we know the rivalry that has opposed the two men since the beginning of the Spanish driver's career in Formula 1.

Arrived at Renault In 2003, the Asturian had to fight against Kimi Räikkönen and his McLaren designed by Adrian Newey during the 2005 season, the year of his first world title in Formula 1. A duel that continued in the early 2010s: Fernando Alonso, then at Ferrari, was Sebastian Vettel's main opponent and Red Bull between 2010 and 2013, without however managing to beat the Austrian team and its star engineer during this period. In 2012, he had even declared that he was not only fighting against the German, but especially against Adrian Newey, shortly before failing in the championship by three points against Sebastian Vettel.

Newey could have worked with Alonso in 2009

Always opposed but never associated: this is an anomaly that will soon be resolved! Moreover, the two men had each expressed, at the end of 2023, their regret for not having worked together in Formula 1… Inevitably, during the press conference organized by Aston Martin this Tuesday, Adrian Newey returned to the rivalry he has maintained with Fernando Alonso for two decades.

"Alonso? We fought against him for several years (smile). He was our sworn enemy at the time, exclaimed the Briton, revealing in passing that he had come close to working with the Spaniard in the past. We came close to signing him in 2008 with Red Bull for the 2009 season, but it didn't happen and that's a shame. We kept fighting against him, he's a legend of the sport and I'm happy to work with him this year."

Joining forces at last.

Adrian Newey 🤝 Fernando Alonso. pic.twitter.com/Is5EfaWpSp

— Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team (@AstonMartinF1) September 10, 2024

A joy that found an echo in Fernando Alonso, who was also enthusiastic about finally having the chance to work with the engineer with multiple world titles. “We’ve been racing against each other for years. It’s been an inspiration, because of Adrian and his talent in designing cars, we’ve all improved as drivers, engineers, teams, we’ve all had to raise the bar to compete with him.” declared the double world champion.

Aston Martin, "the team of the future" according to Alonso

Fernando Alonso, under contract with Aston Martin until 2026, will then have two full seasons to make this association work and realize his dream: to win a 3rd world champion title, almost 20 years after the last one. “It’s an incredible day for the team, Lawrence’s vision [Stroll] is taking shape with this factory, with Adrian, with Honda, with Aramco. This is the team of the future. For me, it is an incredible professional opportunity to work with Adrian and to wear this green color of which I am very proud.

Adrian Newey's arrival at Aston Martin on 1 March 2025 will coincide with the introduction of the new technical regulations, scheduled for 2026. Lawrence Stroll has brought together all the ingredients for the perfect recipe, with the recent recruitments of Adrian Newey (Technical Management Partner), Andy Cowell (CEO of the F1 group), Enrico Cardile (Technical Director), but also the partnerships formed (or renewed) with Honda and Aramco, as well as the opening of the new factory at Silverstone. For Fernando Alonso, this will most certainly be his last - and his best? - chance at a world title before the curtain falls...

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