Alonso amazed by 'teacher' Newey's immediate Aston Martin impact

Fernando Alonso has expressed his admiration for the immediate influence of new Aston Martin team principal Adrian Newey, describing the legendary designer as a constant teacher whose presence has already galvanized the entire team. The two-time champion got his first taste of a Newey-designed Aston Martin, the AMR26, during its shakedown in Barcelona, highlighting the intense effort behind its reveal.

Why it matters:

Adrian Newey's move to Aston Martin represents one of the biggest personnel shifts in modern F1. His proven ability to design championship-winning cars for multiple eras makes his direct impact on a team's culture and motivation a critical factor in their potential ascent. For a driver of Alonso's caliber and experience to be so visibly impressed underscores the intangible boost a figure like Newey brings beyond pure technical drawing.

The details:

• Alonso emphasized the motivational effect Newey has on the garage, noting how mechanics and engineers intently watch him, hoping to catch his feedback on the car.
• The Spaniard, who had never previously worked with Newey, referred to him as "teacher Newey," stating he is "always teaching us something."
• The AMR26, unveiled in Barcelona, is the first Aston Martin car conceived under Newey's direction as Team Principal and Managing Technical Partner—a new dual role for him in 2026.
• Alonso called the shakedown with teammate Lance Stroll a "special" moment, marking the debut of the first car born from the new partnership between Newey, power unit supplier Honda, and title partner Aramco.
• He revealed the weeks leading to the launch were "very, very intense" at the factory to ensure the car was ready for its track debut.

What's next:

The real test begins as Aston Martin transitions from the motivational shakedown to a rigorous pre-season testing program. All eyes will be on whether Newey's philosophical and technical teachings translate into tangible performance gains that can close the gap to the established front-runners. The AMR26's radical concept will face its first true scrutiny under competitive conditions, determining if this new era starts with a genuine step forward.