Fernando Alonso has downplayed the idea that hiring Adrian Newey alone could turn around Aston Martin’s current struggles in Formula 1. As speculation swirls about Aston Martin potentially luring Newey away from Red Bull with a lucrative offer, Alonso emphasized that the team’s issues require more than the genius of one man.
Aston Martin, currently languishing in the midfield and sitting fifth in the Constructors’ standings, has failed to replicate the form that saw them secure several podiums in 2023. The team is a distant 218 points behind the leading pack of Red Bull, McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes, and a pointless outing at Monza only highlighted their challenges.
Addressing the rumors linking Newey to Aston Martin, Alonso referred to them as “still rumors” and stressed that improving the team’s performance is a collective effort. “I think it’s not only one man’s job to fix things,” Alonso told the media. “It’s more about understanding what we have now, what we’re producing, and making sure we’re heading in the right direction for 2025.”
With the 2025 season marking the last under the current regulations, Alonso acknowledged the importance of quickly identifying and addressing the team’s shortcomings. However, he remains optimistic, citing examples of how quickly teams like McLaren and Mercedes have turned their fortunes around this season.
“We still have time to react,” Alonso said. “Look at McLaren—they improved in four months from being last to getting on the podium. Mercedes started the same as us, and they’ve already won three races this year. I’m not a fan of excuses.”
Even if Newey were to join Aston Martin, Alonso highlighted that the team already has significant resources in place to build for the future. This includes a new wind tunnel set to be operational by early 2025 and a works engine partnership with Honda starting in 2026.
While Alonso acknowledges that patience is required until these investments begin to pay off, he insists that the team cannot afford to be complacent. “We need to understand that the big target is 2026,” Alonso said. “But at the same time, we should not be content with being outside the top four. Falling behind teams like Williams, Haas, and Toro Rosso is unacceptable. We need to raise the bar and improve.”
Alonso’s message is clear: Aston Martin’s revival will require more than just one high-profile signing. It will take a concerted effort from the entire team to get back to the front of the grid.
