Formula 1 is about to enter a new era with the 2026 regulation changes, and Fernando Alonso has set off alarm bells among fans and rivals by revealing that Adrian Newey, the legendary designer, is working on something monumental for Aston Martin. The two-time world champion, known for his astuteness and on-track expertise, has made no secret of his excitement about what’s to come, and his statements have generated a wave of expectation about the future of the Silverstone-based team. With Newey’s arrival and a series of strategic moves, Aston Martin appears to be positioning itself as a serious contender for next season. But what exactly is this design genius planning that has Alonso so excited?

Adrian Newey, widely considered one of the greatest engineers in Formula 1 history, joined Aston Martin in March 2025 after nearly two decades at Red Bull, where he designed cars that led to 14 world titles. His arrival at Lawrence Stroll’s team has been a masterstroke, and Alonso has been quick to praise his impact. In a recent interview with DAZN during the British Grand Prix, the Spanish driver stated: “He’s working, he’s involved. He’s very motivated. But it’s true that this year’s car doesn’t interest him much. Every time we ask him something about this year or how to improve something, he gets up and goes to another office. So he’s already in 2026 mode.” These words reflect Newey’s determination to focus exclusively on the car of the future, leaving aside the limitations of the current single-seater, the AMR25.

The context of these statements is crucial. The 2025 season has not been easy for Aston Martin. The team, which achieved eight podium finishes with Alonso in 2023, has fallen to eighth place in the constructors’ championship, with just 36 points shared with Racing Bulls. Alonso, at 43, has endured a frustrating campaign, collecting just 14 points from the first 12 races, behind teammate Lance Stroll. Despite some flashes of brilliance, such as a seventh place in Austria and points in four consecutive races, the team has struggled to remain competitive against rivals such as McLaren, Ferrari, and Red Bull. However, Alonso remains optimistic, convinced that the current problems will not affect the ambitious 2026 project.

Newey’s focus on the 2026 regulations, which will introduce significant changes to the chassis and power units, is a strategic move. The new cars will be lighter, but with heavier power units, representing a monumental technical challenge. Furthermore, the introduction of active aerodynamics promises to revolutionize car design. Newey, with his track record of anticipating regulation changes, is in his element. According to team principal Andy Cowell, Newey is “pushing the boundaries” at Silverstone, working on innovative concepts for the 2026 car. Cowell, who previously led the development of Mercedes’ hybrid power units, told AS: “He’s a racing car designer. One of the best. From day one, we set up his working environment, and he came in and started working on the new regulations.”

Aston Martin’s ambition isn’t limited to Newey. The team has strengthened its technical structure with the arrival of Enrico Cardile from Ferrari and secured a partnership with Honda, Red Bull’s engine supplier, until 2025. This collaboration is especially significant given that Newey has a successful relationship with Honda, having achieved multiple championships together. Former F1 driver John Watson told F1 Oversteer that this relationship with Honda will be a “major advantage” for Aston Martin, as Newey knows how to fully exploit the Japanese manufacturer’s capabilities. The combination of these talents, along with the new facilities and a state-of-the-art wind tunnel, positions Aston Martin as a team with the resources to compete at the highest level.

Alonso, for his part, not only trusts Newey’s technical vision but is also impressed by his unique approach. In an interview with Mundo Deportivo after the Monaco Grand Prix, the Spaniard described Newey as “a very special person” with “above-average creative ability.” He added: “He has a vision of what a racing car is, with a different perspective than the rest of us mortals. He can design everything, be it aerodynamics, structure, safety, or suspension. If you leave him for a minute in Monaco, he designs a ship for you and makes it float.” These words not only highlight Newey’s genius but also the chemistry developing between driver and designer, a collaboration many consider historic.

The anticipation isn’t just internal. Jolyon Palmer, former driver and commentator, predicted on F1 Nation that the relationship between Alonso and Newey will be “immense” due to the mutual respect they share. Palmer noted that the two have longed to work together for years, and this union could transform the team’s dynamic. However, Alonso has been realistic about short-term expectations. On the Beyond the Grid podcast, he warned: “To be honest, it’s 99.9 or 100% certain he can’t do much for 2025, unfortunately for us. His focus will be very much on 2026 because of the regulation change.” This openness reflects Alonso’s maturity, who at 44 will still be a fierce competitor in 2026, as highlighted by Emerson Fittipaldi, who stated on PlanetF1 that Alonso “shows no signs of decline” and is ready to take advantage of a competitive car.

Despite the challenges of 2025, there are signs of progress. The updates introduced at Imola, optimized with Newey’s help, showed promising results. Alonso commented in the pre-British Grand Prix press conference: “The Imola package didn’t look like much, but it worked better than the wind tunnel suggested.” This success suggests that Aston Martin is beginning to address key issues, such as the correlation between simulator data and on-track performance—an area Newey identified as weak but which Alonso believes will not take two years to correct, contradicting the designer’s initial estimates.

Newey’s impact goes beyond car design. Alonso told Formula1.com that the engineer has a broader vision for how an elite team should operate. During his lunches with Newey, they discussed improvements to the simulator and internal processes, areas where Aston Martin is looking to reach the level of the top teams. This champion mentality, combined with Lawrence Stroll’s investment and Alonso’s passion, creates an atmosphere of optimism that could resonate with fans on social media platforms like Facebook, where the narrative of a team on the rise, led by two legends, is perfect for capturing attention.

As Formula 1 approaches 2026, all eyes will be on Aston Martin. The combination of Alonso’s experience, Newey’s brilliance, and Stroll’s ambition could upset the established order. While the road to success won’t be easy, Alonso’s words, backed by Newey’s track record, send a clear message to rivals: Aston Martin is preparing something big, and the motorsport world should pay attention.