Alonso: Newey’s impact at Aston greater than Hamilton's at Ferrari

Fernando Alonso has offered a pointed perspective on two of Formula 1’s biggest moves: Lewis Hamilton’s switch to Ferrari and Adrian Newey’s arrival at Aston Martin.

While the seven-time world champion brings immense experience and skill to Ferrari, Alonso believes the legendary designer will have a greater influence on Aston’s fortunes than Hamilton could ever have on Ferrari’s.

The off-season saw headlines dominated by the two blockbuster moves. Hamilton, leaving behind his long tenure at Mercedes, has already begun working with Ferrari on their SF-25 car, while Newey is set to officially join Aston Martin in March.

With both individuals carrying a reputation for transformative impact, comparisons have naturally arisen. However, Alonso, who has competed at the highest level for two decades, remains steadfast in his view that a top-tier designer wields more influence over a team’s success than even the most talented driver.

In an interview with Spanish publication AS, Alonso addressed the debate head-on.

“Adrian Newey will always have more impact than any driver,” contended the Spaniard. “The drivers come and go, the 20 who are here try to drive well, and we have achieved things until we reach F1.

“I don’t know what Hamilton is going to contribute or add to Ferrari, surely it will be less than what a designer can contribute.”

Design vs. Driving: The Newey Effect

Alonso’s statement underscores the often understated but undeniable reality of modern Formula 1: cars win championships, and designers are the architects of those victories.

Newey’s illustrious career is a testament to this, with his designs securing titles for Williams, McLaren, and Red Bull across multiple decades.

For Alonso, the legendary designer’s upcoming role at Aston Martin is a seismic shift that could reshape the competitive landscape of F1, particularly with the major rule changes on the horizon in 2026.

Hamilton, on the other hand, faces a different kind of challenge. Moving to Ferrari represents a fresh chapter in his storied career, but Alonso remains skeptical about the magnitude of his impact.

“It’s more about adapting to the car than anything else,” the two-time world champion observed. “Hamilton has to see how to drive that car, [Charles] Leclerc has more experience.

“Lewis also suffered a little with [George] Russell last year, so he also has to gain confidence, but we know the quality he has and since he has a good car he will be a sure candidate.”

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• Leclerc on working with Hamilton: ‘Super cool’ and perfect timing

Alonso, who joined Aston Martin himself last year, drew parallels to his own experience adapting to a new environment.

“When I arrived at Aston, it was a different organization; in Alpine, I felt comfortable with many people from the Renault era, and in Aston it was the new one in everything, but in the first race we were very fast.”

©AstonMartin

Alonso’s words, while potentially provocative, offer a valuable insight into the complex interplay between driver skill and car design in Formula 1.

Whether one agrees with his assessment or not, it's clear that both Hamilton and Newey will be key figures to watch in the upcoming seasons, as they seek to lead their respective teams to new heights of success.

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