Alonso's optimism skyrockets: “The latest hires have allowed us to reset expectations”
Fernando Alonso predicts great success for Aston Martin, as he sees a combination of tools and personnel designed for victory. The Spanish driver also sees himself reflected in Adrian Newey, who he notes is also obsessed with winning.
From Aston Martin come somewhat contradictory messages. On one hand, the caution personified in Adrian Newey, and the prediction that 2026 comes too soon for a team that still needs to homogenize all the innovations of the last few months (wind tunnel, simulator, Newey himself, Cardile, Cowell's restructuring, etc).
But on the other hand, Fernando Alonso cannot help but feel very excited about what is coming, as he perceives a determination to win that he considers key to achieving the team's objectives. Objectives that, on the other hand, are extremely ambitious.
“He doesn’t talk to many people, but at the same time he is always thinking and touching things”
Alonso sees the light at the end of the tunnel
It surely has something to do with the fact that the Asturian driver is the one most eager to win, as at 44 years old he is fully aware that it is unlikely he will remain in Formula 1 beyond 2026. Perhaps that’s why Alonso argues that “we must trust the team and the people we have at the factory.”
“The latest hires we have made and the new people who have arrived have allowed us to reset our expectations and our motivation,” he continues, recalling that “if you don’t see any change when the situation is not good, then it becomes a problem. Then you lose confidence. You don’t see the light at the end of the tunnel.”
None of that is what is happening in Silverstone, however. “At Aston Martin what I have found is a team and a leadership that will never be satisfied until we win,” says Fernando Alonso.
Newey, a leader for Aston Martin
Another aspect that allows Alonso to trust that everything is possible from now on is the presence of Adrian Newey. The two-time world champion knows well what he is capable of, as he suffered his genius as a rival for many years. And now that he has started working with him, he understands the reason for his success.
“Without a doubt, he is the best designer in the history of this sport and probably no one will ever reach his numbers,” he summarizes at the outset. “His way of working explains some of the results he has obtained. He has an incredible way of seeing the car as a unique piece that works together, not as individual devices that provide performance.”
“He is able to anticipate the entire car as if it were a single piece. He seems to have everything under control at all times. He has a confidence in himself that I have probably never seen before. He is not concerned about other teams, other philosophies, or other designs. He believes that his will be the best. It makes me feel very secure,” Alonso concludes.
This year, Adrian Newey has been focused almost 100% on the 2026 car. But at least he allowed himself the luxury of accompanying the team at the Monaco Grand Prix. And Alonso was able to see his methodology firsthand.
“Newey came to Monaco for the race, he was in the garage. He doesn’t talk to many people, but at the same time he is always thinking and touching things. The front wing here, the suspension there… I think he is more of an artist than an engineer,” says Alonso.
A Fernando Alonso who also sees himself reflected in the British engineer. “When we are motivated, we become obsessed,” concludes the Spaniard, eager to compete for the first time with a car designed by one of his few idols.
Fuente: Mundo Deportivo
