Alonso admits ‘I don't have time' to wait too long for Newey to make an impact at Aston Martin

Fernando Alonso has admitted that it will “take time” for Aston Martin to potentially put themselves in a position to fight for championships in the future – a commodity that he acknowledges he may soon run out of in his F1 career.

The Silverstone-based squad hit the headlines earlier in September when it was announced that Adrian Newey had signed a long-term deal to become their new Managing Technical Partner, with the legendary designer set to join on March 1 2025.

READ MORE:‘It became very clear and obvious’ – Newey on his Aston Martin move and teaming up with ‘arch-enemy’ Alonso

This means that Newey – whose exit from Red Bull was confirmed in May – will work in the same team as Alonso for the first time, the 43-year-old driver having committed his future to the squad on a multi-year agreement that will keep him onboard through to the 2026 season.

However, when asked during the Singapore Grand Prix weekend if he believes that Newey’s arrival could offer him his best chance of scoring a long-awaited 33rd career win – and potentially a third world championship – Alonso answered: “Let's see.

“We cannot predict the future, but as I said before, I think we have quite good things coming in the next few months in the team, especially the wind tunnel. I would say that is a game-changer for us.

“We are using now Mercedes’ wind tunnel and obviously limited on time, limited when in the week they allowed us to go there and things. So I think to have our own wind tunnel and use [it] wisely during the week, in the moments that are needed, I think that will be a huge step forward.

“And I think the factory as well, we cannot forget Aston Martin [as they were] two years ago, still on a very small building from Racing Point, Force India. And now, we [have] double the personnel and we have this new facility.

READ MORE: Alonso describes Aston Martin as ‘team of the future’ in F1 with ‘inspiration’ Newey arriving

“So, step by step, we have all [we need] to have that first race win and hopefully [we will be] fighting for championships in the future. I'm aware that this takes time, and I don't have that time in a way. But I'm relaxed and I'm enjoying the journey.”

Given Newey’s start date, the designer is likely to be focused on preparations for 2026 when he arrives – a year in which a new set of technical regulations will be introduced into the sport.

But when pushed on whether Newey could also potentially have an influence on 2025, Alonso responded: “I don't think so. I would like to say yes, but honestly, I don't think so. March ‘25, I think the focus for most of the teams will be ‘26 projects and the change of regulations.

“You start in March, until you know everybody, and [when] you take your place in the factories it’s April or May. And I don't think that it's really worth spending too much in the ‘25 campaign, unless you are fighting for the championship… I hope we have a nice surprise, but I doubt it. So I think the ‘26 project should be the first car that he has an influence [on].”

And in terms of how involved he was in persuading Newey to join Aston Martin, Alonso added: “Well, it’s a question for him. I texted him, for sure, like everybody did probably that wanted to work with him.

READ MORE: Street circuits ‘cannot hide lack of performance’ says Alonso as Aston Martin lose ground to rivals

“And yeah, I saw him also at the Monaco Historic Grand Prix that he was racing that week as well and we spent half an hour chatting as well. I don't know, I mean, we all tried to persuade him.

“Ultimately, I think Lawrence [Stroll] and, as I said, his vision, the new factory and what Aston Martin wants for the future, together with Honda as well, were probably key factors listening to what Adrian said [about why he joined].”