Alpine Secures Key FIA Aerodynamics Chief for 2026 Regulations

Alpine is set to bolster its technical team with a significant acquisition: Jason Somerville, formerly the FIA's head of aerodynamics, is joining the French squad. This move comes at a crucial juncture for Alpine as Formula 1 prepares for a major regulatory overhaul in 2026, encompassing both power unit and chassis rules.

Why it matters:

After a challenging season, Alpine's strategic move to bring in Somerville underscores its commitment to navigating the upcoming 2026 regulation changes effectively. His extensive experience in defining F1 aerodynamics, both within teams and at the FIA, is expected to be invaluable as Alpine seeks to improve its performance and adapt to the new technical landscape. This signing is a clear signal of their intent to rebuild and become more competitive.

The details:

• Key Hire: Jason Somerville, a seasoned F1 aerodynamics expert, is confirmed to be leaving the FIA to join Alpine.
• Extensive Background: Somerville's career includes stints with prominent F1 entities such as Toyota, Lotus, Williams, and working directly for F1 before joining the FIA in February 2022.
• 2026 Focus: His expertise in aerodynamics will be critical as Alpine prepares for the sweeping regulatory changes in 2026, particularly concerning chassis and aero rules.
• Power Unit Shift: Alpine has already announced its transition to becoming a Mercedes power unit customer from 2026, relinquishing its works team status.
• Gardening Leave: The FIA confirmed that Somerville will undergo a period of gardening leave, during which he will work on non-F1 related projects. The exact duration of this leave is currently undisclosed.
• FIA Statement: The governing body expressed gratitude for Somerville's contributions and ensured that access to sensitive information was restricted during his transition, in line with standard off-boarding procedures.

The big picture:

Alpine has endured a difficult 2024 campaign, currently sitting at the bottom of the constructors' championship with only 22 points, all scored by Pierre Gasly. This performance deficit, according to Managing Director Steve Nielsen, is largely due to the team's singular focus on the 2026 regulations. The acquisition of a high-caliber individual like Somerville, who has direct experience in shaping F1's aerodynamic landscape through his role at the FIA, indicates a serious investment in addressing future challenges and capitalizing on the upcoming rule changes to turn their fortunes around. His knowledge of the regulatory framework will be a significant asset.

What's next:

While Somerville's exact start date with Alpine after his gardening leave is yet to be confirmed, his arrival is anticipated to inject crucial expertise into the team's 2026 car development. Alpine's long-term strategy appears to hinge on a strong showing in the new regulatory era, and Somerville's appointment is a foundational piece of that puzzle. The team will be banking on his insights to create a competitive package that can lift them out of their current struggles and establish them as a more consistent front-runner in the sport.