Fernando Alonso is running out of time to win a third World Championship (Image: Getty)
has admitted that he ‘doesn’t have time’ to wait for the project to kick into gear at . The 43-year-old is coming to the end of his F1 career but believes that his team’s latest recruit can guide him to a third World Championship.
Alonso has been performing at an extremely high level since returning to the sport with Alpine back in 2021, but silverware has been hard to come by. The Oviedo-born racer claimed his two World Championships back in 2005 and 2006, and he has not won since the 2013 Spanish Grand Prix over a decade ago.
His chances of tasting victory again before the end of his career were boosted significantly ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix when Aston Martin confirmed the signing of Newey on a long-term contract following his shock departure from earlier in the year. Alonso even played a role in the deal, revealing that he “texted him” when interest first emerged.
With Newey preparing to integrate with the team at the Silverstone factory, Alonso is excited. “So, step by step, we have all [we need] to have that first race win and hopefully [we will be] fighting for championships in the future,” he said. “I’m aware that this takes time, and I don’t have that time in a way. But I’m relaxed and I’m enjoying the journey.”
While Alonso wants an immediate impact, he will have to have some patience. Newey won’t link up with the Aston Martin squad until the end of the campaign as he completes his gardening leave with , and he is unlikely to have a significant impact until 2026.
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Adrian Newey was announced as an Aston Martin man ahead of the race in Baku (Image: Getty)
“I don’t think so,” Alonso confessed when asked if Newey could impact 2025. “I would like to say yes, but honestly, I don’t think so. March ‘25, I think the focus for most of the teams will be ‘26 projects and the change of regulations.
“You start in March, until you know everybody, and [when] you take your place in the factories it’s April or May. And I don’t think that it’s really worth spending too much in the ‘25 campaign unless you are fighting for the championship… I hope we have a nice surprise, but I doubt it. So I think the ‘26 project should be the first car that he has an influence [on].”
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If Alonso is to win a long-awaited third World Championship then Newey will need to spearhead a significant overhaul of the AMR24. After fighting for regular podiums in 2023, the British constructor has taken a step backwards in 2024.
Alonso’s P6 finish in Baku was a rare moment of celebration for , who are stranded in midfield no man’s land with six races remaining. They have seen both of their drivers finish in the top 10 on just four occasions this season.