FIA's Head of Aerodynamics Jason Somerville Resigns, Linked to Alpine F1 Move

Jason Somerville, the FIA's head of aerodynamics, has resigned and is reportedly set to join Alpine F1 for the 2026 season. Somerville played a crucial role in developing F1's upcoming 2026 regulations, which will feature active aerodynamics.

Why it matters:

• Somerville's departure from the FIA and potential move to Alpine is a significant development, as he possesses intimate knowledge of the very regulations he helped craft. This could give Alpine a competitive advantage, particularly with the introduction of active aerodynamics in 2026.
• His expertise will be invaluable to Alpine as they aim to rebound from a challenging 2025 season, for which they've already committed resources to the 2026 car.

The Details:

• Somerville tendered his resignation last week and will undergo a six-month gardening leave period before joining his new employer.
• While initial reports suggested a move to Cadillac, Motorsport.com understands he will instead join Alpine in May 2026.
• This move would reunite Somerville with Alpine's Managing Director Steve Nielsen, as they previously worked together at both the FIA and FOM.
• During his gardening leave, Somerville will remain with the FIA but will be assigned to non-F1 related projects to prevent access to sensitive competitive information regarding rival teams' 2026 preparations.
• The FIA confirmed Somerville's departure, stating: "Jason will serve his full notice period including gardening leave. During this transition, Jason will dedicate his time to non-sensitive, non-F1 projects. Access to sensitive and confidential information has been adjusted accordingly, in line with our standard off-boarding procedures."
• His responsibilities will be temporarily taken over by Jan Monchaux, the FIA's head of single-seaters, and other existing FIA personnel.
• Somerville has served as the FIA's head of aero since February 2022, a role he also held at F1 management. He has prior experience in the aero departments of Williams, Toyota, and Lotus.
• Alpine declined to comment on the matter when approached by Motorsport.com.

The Big Picture:

Alpine is currently projected to finish last in the 2025 Constructors' Championship standings. The team has made a strategic decision to shift its focus and resources early to the 2026 season, hoping to capitalize on the significant regulatory changes. Bringing in a figure like Somerville, who was instrumental in shaping those very rules, aligns with this aggressive strategy to climb back up the grid.

What's next:

Somerville is expected to begin his tenure with Alpine in May 2026, just ahead of the new regulations taking effect. His arrival could provide a significant boost to Alpine's technical team, potentially enabling them to hit the ground running with their 2026 challenger. The success of this high-profile recruitment will be closely watched as teams prepare for a new era of F1 technical specifications.