Alonso Amazed by Adrian Newey's Unprecedented Self-Confidence in F1 Design

Fernando Alonso expresses profound confidence in Adrian Newey's design prowess, stating he feels "very safe" with Newey leading Aston Martin's 2026 car development. Alonso specifically highlights Newey's unparalleled self-confidence, something he claims he's "never saw before" in F1.### Why it matters:This collaboration marks a significant moment as two F1 legends finally work together after years of rivalry. Newey's leadership is critical for Aston Martin as F1 approaches major regulation changes in 2026, and Alonso's trust underscores the potential impact.### The big picture:Newey, who took on the role of Managing Technical Partner at Aston Martin last year, is spearheading the development of the team's 2026 challenger, which will be powered by Honda. Their paths frequently crossed as rivals, with Newey's designs often blocking Alonso's championship bids at Ferrari against Red Bull. Despite this, a mutual respect and desire to collaborate persisted, now realized at Aston Martin.### What Alonso is saying:Having now worked closely with Newey, Alonso shared his observations on the legendary designer's process:"For sure, the best ever designer in the sport, and no one probably will achieve the numbers that he has – and the way he works explains some of the results that he had."Newey "has an incredible way of seeing the car as one piece that works together, not single devices that provide performance. He just can anticipate the whole car like in one piece."He observed Newey to be "in control of everything at all the time, [and has] a self confidence that probably I never saw before."Alonso emphasized, "He’s not stressed about any other team or any other philosophy or any other design. He believes that his will be the best."### Feeling "very safe":When asked about his personal feelings regarding Newey's leadership for 2026, Alonso stated:"Very safe."He further described Newey as "an artist more than an engineer," noting his constant observation and interaction with the car, even in casual settings like the Monaco garage.### What's next:Newey's unique approach and self-assuredness, combined with his collaboration with Honda for the new power unit, position Aston Martin with high expectations for the 2026 season. Alonso's strong endorsement suggests a positive outlook for the team's ability to navigate the upcoming regulatory shifts effectively.