Alpine adds former FIA aero chief to F1 technical structure

Alpine has officially added former FIA head of aerodynamics Jason Somerville to its technical team as deputy technical director, marking a key addition to the team's 2026 preparations. The British engineer joins after completing a six-month gardening leave, bringing deep insight into the sport's upcoming regulatory overhaul.

Why it matters:

Somerville was instrumental in shaping the 2026 aerodynamic rules during his three-year tenure at the FIA. His move to Enstone gives Alpine insider knowledge of the very regulations the team is targeting — a significant advantage in the development race. This appointment further signals the team's serious commitment to becoming a consistent frontrunner under the new rules.

The details:

• Somerville will work under technical chief David Sanchez and reunites with managing director Steve Nielsen, with whom he previously worked at the FIA and Formula One Management.
• His previous F1 team experience includes aerodynamic roles at Williams, Toyota, and Lotus.
• “I am relishing the opportunity to be back in the thick of it, hunting milliseconds and fighting our rivals for points and hopefully silverware,” Somerville said.
• Alpine currently sits fifth in the constructors’ standings with 23 points from Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto in the early 2026 season.
• The team sacrificed much of last season to focus heavily on the 2026 regulations, and Somerville's arrival is part of that long-term strategy.

What's next:

With Somerville's regulatory expertise now inside the factory, Alpine aims to sustain its midfield-leading momentum and potentially challenge for higher positions as the season unfolds. His understanding of the rules could prove crucial for development direction, especially with the active aerodynamics and other new concepts coming in 2026.